title: [Efficacy, safety and comfort of compression therapy models in the immediate post-operative period after a greater saphenectomy. A prospective randomised study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is still controversy on the best compression therapy after performing a greater saphenectomy. The purpose of this study is to establish whether the use of a controlled compression stocking has the same level of safety and efficacy as a compression bandage in the immediate post-operative period after a greater saphenectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomised, open-labelled study, comparing three groups: a) a conventional compression bandage for one week, b) a conventional compression bandage replaced by a controlled tubular compression stocking at 5h of its putting in place, c) immediate direct use of the controlled tubular compression stocking, was conducted on fifty-five consecutive outpatients with a greater saphenectomy in one of their legs, and who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The working hypothesis was that the controlled tubular compression stocking could replace, in terms of efficacy, safety and comfort, the usual controlled compression in the immediate post-operative period after saphenous vein stripping. The analysis variables were pain, control of bleeding, analgesics in the post-operative period, bruising, incapacity during the first week after the operation and comfort level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences found between the three types of compressions studied as regards, safety, efficacy, comfort level, pain and analgesic consumption, but there was as regards the level of convenience in favour of the use of the stocking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The controlled tubular compression stocking can replace the compression bandage with more advantages after greater saphenous vein stripping in outpatients, having the same safety and efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Atención al Pie Diabético e Insuficiencia Venosa Crónica, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España. ecollazo@comcordoba.com
authors.forename: Eliseo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Collazo Chao
authors.forename: María Antonia
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Luque
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González-Ripoll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058128:Compression Bandages; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures