title: A survey of the current management of varicose veins by members of the Vascular Surgical Society.
abstract: The assessment and treatment of varicose veins by members of the Vascular Surgical Society of Great Britain and Ireland has been assessed by postal questionnaire. The response rate was 65%, of which 77% were general surgeons with a vascular interest, 21% were vascular surgeons only and 2% were non-vascular. Approximately four new patients with varicose veins are seen per surgeon per week in clinics with a median waiting time to be seen of 12 weeks. A median of three varicose vein operations per surgeon per week are undertaken with 10-15% of surgery being performed for recurrent disease. The commonest indications for surgery are symptomatic (97%) and complicated (98%) varicose veins, although 55% of surgeons also perform surgery for cosmesis. 65% surgeons routinely use hand-held Doppler in the assessment of varicose veins; of the other methods available, Duplex scanning was used as the first line investigation by 83%. Although over 60% of surgeons use sclerotherapy surgery is the preferred option for primary treatment for varicose veins associated with long or short saphenous reflux. 62% surgeons use deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in patients undergoing varicose veins surgery selectively, and 27% use it routinely.
authors.affiliation: Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ridler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Szymanska
mesh_terms: D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography; D006113:United Kingdom; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control