Prevention and treatment of postphlebitic syndrome: results of a 3-part study.
BACKGROUND
The true incidence of postphlebitic syndrome (PPS) following proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and the efficacy of graduated compression stockings in preventing and treating PPS are unknown.


METHODS
A 3-part study of 202 patients evaluated 1 year after proximal DVT: 2 randomized placebo-controlled trials of stockings and 1 prospective cohort of untreated patients. Patients were evaluated for PPS, using a standardized questionnaire, and for venous valvular incompetence, using photoplethysmography and venous Doppler. They were enrolled in study 1 or study 2 if they did not have symptomatic PPS and did not have or had venous valvular incompetence, respectively, and into study 3 if they had symptomatic PPS. Study 1 patients were left untreated and followed up for development of PPS every 6 months for a mean of 55 months. Study 2 patients were randomized to a below-knee stocking (20-30 mm Hg) or a matched placebo stocking, and followed up for development of PPS every 6 months for a mean of 57 months. Study 3 patients were randomized to an active stocking (30-40 mm Hg) or a matched placebo stocking and followed up every 3 months for treatment failure, defined a priori.


RESULTS
In study 1, 6 (5.0%) of 120 patients were categorized as treatment failures, a rate similar to placebo-treated study 2 patients (P =.10). In study 2, 0 (0%) of 24 active and 1 (4.3%) of 23 placebo-treated patients were categorized as treatment failures (P =.49). In study 3, 11 (61.1%) of 18 active and 10 (58.8%) of 17 placebo-treated patients were categorized as treatment failures (P>.99).


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients do not have PPS 1 year after proximal DVT, and do not require stockings. We failed to show a benefit of stockings in patients with PPS, but the small numbers preclude definitive conclusions.
Ginsberg
J S
JS
Department of Medicine, McMaster University Medical Center, 1200 Main St W, HSC-3W11, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5.
Hirsh
J
J
Julian
J
J
Vander LaandeVries
M
M
Magier
D
D
MacKinnon
B
B
Gent
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011186:Postphlebitic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*