Abstract
Background
The use of compression dressings after phlebectomy is based solely on clinical experience due to the lack of a unified set of definitive recommendations, which makes clinical practice extremely heterogeneous.
Objectives
To evaluate compression therapy with elastic stockings for 7 days after phlebectomy.
Methods
We randomly allocated 104 lower limbs with disease classified as C1 and C2 to 1 of 2 groups: an intervention group (64 limbs) – wearing elastic compression stockings for the first 7 days after phlebectomy; or a control group (40 limbs) – given conventional bandaging for 24 hours postoperatively. We compared clinical response by analyzing the evolution of symptoms, hematoma formation, and preoperative vs. postoperative limb volume.
Results
Pain (median 1.0 vs. 1.5, p=0.0320) and limb volume (mean 43.7 vs. 99.8, p=0.0071) were significantly improved in patients wearing elastic compression stockings for 7 days after phlebectomy compared with controls.
Conclusions
Use of elastic compression therapy for 7 days after phlebectomy was effective for improving pain and lower limb volume.
Keywords:
venous insufficiency; varicose veins; compression stockings