CLINICAL STUDY AND MANAGEMENT OF LOWER LIMB VARICOSE VEINS

Background: Varicose veins of the lower limb are the most common peripheral vascular disease. A clinical study and surgical management of varicose vein was conducted to study the age, sex and occupational distribution of varicose veins of lower limb. Evaluations of clinical features and surgical methods of treatments that were in practice in the management of varicose veins in terms of recurrence and symptoms improvement were alsostudied. Methods: A prospective study was carried out between July 2013 to June 2015. During this period 50 cases of varicose veins of lower limbs were admitted to our hospital and were studied in detail. After thorough clinical examination and relevant investigation they are all subjected to surgical management. Results: Out of 50 cases studied, 35 (50%) had long saphenous vein involvement, 6 (12%) had short saphenous vein involvement and in 5 (10%) cases both short and long saphenous system were involved. In addition to long saphenous vein involvement, incompetent perforators were present in 4 (8%) cases. Among them prominent veins and pain were the main complaints in 36 (72%) patients. Itching and pigmentation were present in 7(14%) patients. Ankle edema was present in 4(8%) patients. Pain and ulceration of lower leg were present in 3(6%) patients. After clinical assessment appropriate surgical procedures were followed for each of patients. Conclusions: This study reveals that the disease is more prevalent during the active adult life in their 3rd and 4th decades and males were more affected. Definite relationship exists between the occupation and the incidence of varicose veins. The patients were in the occupation which required standing for long time had the higher chances of varicose vein. Severity of the symptoms is not proportional to the duration of varicose veins. The involvement of long saphenous vein is more common than the short saphenous vein. Since our study shows very low percentage of recurrence and symptoms related to varicose vein the surgical line of treatment is an ideal treatment for varicose vein. If cases are selected properly with good operative technique the complications are negligible.