Return to work, driving and other activities after varicose vein surgery is very variable and is influenced little by advice from specialists.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of altering written advice on return to activities following varicose vein surgery.


METHODS
During two consecutive four-month periods, 134 patients (84 female, median age 57 years) were given two different information booklets. The first booklet (76 patients) suggested 7-10 days before driving and 2-3 weeks before returning to work. The second booklet (58 patients) explicitly advised return to all activities as soon as possible. Patients were contacted 6 weeks following surgery. Advice was sought from motor insurance companies about their views on return to driving.


RESULTS
There was huge variation in time to driving (0-35 days, median 7), work (1-45 days, median 14) and "all normal activities" (1-62 days, median 21), but no significant differences between the two groups. There were paradoxes in the delays to driving and different types of work. Delays to driving or work were longer after bilateral surgery (p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Changing written advice did not influence the time to return to activities following varicose vein surgery, which was highly variable. Other factors may influence recovery and may be challenging for specialists to change. Consistent advice is important when comparing recovery from different treatments.
Darwood
R J
RJ
Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK. rosie_darwood@btinternet.com
Walker
N
N
Bracey
M
M
Cowan
A R
AR
Thompson
J F
JF
Campbell
W B
WB
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001334:Automobile Driving; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018582:Sick Leave; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures