Abstract
Background
This study compared bilateral and unilateral varicose vein surgery in primary varicosis of the long or short saphenous vein with respect to blood loss.
Patients and methods
The prospective trial assessed postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, blood loss, return to physical activity and work, cosmetic result, complications, hospitalization, patient satisfaction, and hospital cost in 73 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral (n=40) or bilateral (n=33) varicose vein surgery.
Results
There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in postoperative pain, postoperative analgesic consumption immediately postoperatively and after 8 h, median postoperative stay, return to work and physical activity, or cosmetic result. All patients but one were either satisfied or very satisfied 6 weeks postoperatively.
Conclusions
Patients undergoing a bilateral stripping operation did not differ from those undergoing unilateral operation. Therefore we recommend bilateral operation when indicated.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Van Den Oever R, Hepp B, Debbaut B, Simon I (1998) Socio-econornic impact of chronic venous insufficiency. An underestimated public health problem. Int Angiol 17:161–167
Hübner K, Schwarz B (1996) Frequency and ratio of distribution of different varicosities. Phlebologie 25:19–25
Hach W, Hach-Wunderle V (1994) Die Rezirkulationskreise der Primären Varikose. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 32–35
Sann S, Scurr JH, Coleridge Smith PD (1994) Stripping of the long saphenous vein in the treatment of primary varicose veins. Br J Surg 81:1455–1458
Muller R (1991) Treatment of varicose external saphenous vein by ambulatory phlebectomy. Phlebologie 44:687–692
Rivlin L, Haddad M, Landau 0, Nudelman I, Ze1ikovski A (1991) Bilateral versus unilateral high ligation and stripping of the greater saphenous vein for varicose veins. Vasa 20:267–269
Roberton GS, Burton PR, Haynes IG (1993) How long do patients conva1escence after inguinal herniorhaphy? Current principles and practice. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 75:30–33
Schrenk P, WoisetschIäger R, Rieger R, Wayand W (1996) Prospective randomized trial comparing postoperative pain and return to physical activity alter transabdomina1 preperitoneal, total preperitoneal or Shouldice technique for inguinal hernia repair. Br J Surg 83:1563–1566
Campbell B, Dimson S, Bickerton D (1998) Which treatment would patients prefer for their varicose veins. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 80:447
Wigger P (1998) Surgical therapy of primary varicose veins. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 128:1781–1788
Clyne CAC, Jamieson CW (1978) The patients opinion of day care vein Surgery. Br J Surg 65:194–196
Ricci S (1998) Ambulatory phlebectomy. Principles and evolution of the method. Dermatol Surg 24:459–464
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Prof. Dr. W. Pölz, University of Linz, for the assistance with the statistical analyses.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shamiyeh, A., Schrenk, P. & Wayand, W.U. Prospective trial comparing bilateral and unilateral varicose vein surgery. Langenbecks Arch Surg 387, 402–405 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-002-0347-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-002-0347-1