Assessment and Treatment of Varicose Veins in the Northern Region

Abstract

Objective: To identify the current practice of surgeons and variations between these surgeons in the investigation and treatment of varicose veins. Design: Questionnaire submitted to all surgeons treating varicose veins. Setting: All general surgeons in the Northern Region of England. Results: The response was 83% with 60 surgeons (85% of responders) treating varicose veins. Thirty-five per cent have a vascular specialist interest and treat 58% of all the varicose veins; 37% of surgeons complement initial assessment by clinical examination with hand-held Doppler examination. For long saphenous vein incompetence all surgeons perform high saphenous ligation, with 67% stripping the vein to the knee and 23% to the ankle. For short saphenous incompetence, 28% localize the saphenopopliteal junction by investigation prior to treatment, 92% perform saphenopopliteal ligation and 13% strip the vein. Conclusions: The extent of investigation and the nature of treatment of varicose veins vary considerably between consultants. Relatively few surgeons use hand-held Doppler and surgeons remain divided on the use and extent of stripping of the saphenous veins.