Randomized clinical trial of routine preoperative duplex imaging before varicose vein surgery

• BACKGROUND:Duplex imaging is used increasingly for preoperative evaluation of varicose veins, but its value in terms of the long-term results of surgery is not clear.METHODS:Patients with primary varicose veins were randomized to operation with or without preoperative duplex imaging. Reoperation rates, clinical and duplex findings were compared at 2 months and 2 years after surgery.RESULTS:Two hundred and ninety-three patients (343 legs) had varicose vein surgery after duplex imaging (group 1; 166 legs) or no imaging (group 2; 177 legs). In 44 legs (26.5 per cent), duplex examination suggested a different surgical procedure than had been considered on clinical grounds; the procedure was changed accordingly for 29 legs. At 2 months, incompetence was detected at the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction (or both) in 14 legs (8.8 per cent) in group 1 and in 44 legs (26.5 per cent) in group 2 (P < 0.001). At 2 years, two legs (1.4 per cent) had undergone or were awaiting reoperation in group 1, and 14 legs (9.5 per cent) in group 2 (P = 0.002). In the remainder, major incompetence was found in 19 legs (15.0 per cent) in group 1 and in 53 (41.1 per cent) in group 2 (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:Routine preoperative duplex examination led to an improvement in results 2 years after surgery for patients with primary varicose veins.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Adult

Aged

Comparative Study

Female

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Preoperative Care/methods

Prospective Studies

Reoperation

Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't

Ultrasonography; Doppler; Duplex/methods

Varicose Veins/physiopathology/*surgery/*ultrasonography

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)