A Clinical Study of the Varicose Vein in Lower Extremities

Suh, Yeong Il; Chung, Sang Young; Kim, Shin Kon

Abstract

During the period from 1988 to 1993, 86 cases of varicose vein in lower extremity were treated at Department of General surgery, Chonnam University Hospital. 36 outpatients were treated by compression sclerotherapy and 50 inpatients by surgery. The results were as follows ; 1) The prevalent age group were 4th and 5th decade. 2) The predisposing factors of varicose vein were profession requiring long time standing (48.8%), pregnancy (14%) and hereditary (4.7%), in order. 3) Varicose veins were located in the greater saphenous system (50%), the lesser saphenous system (46.5%) and both (3.5%). 4) The cardinal symptoms and signs were tortuosity of veins(100%), aching pain(29.1%), leg heaviness(14.0%), walking discomfort(8.1%) and leg edema(7.0%). 5) The used sclerosing agent was 5% ethanolamine oleate in compression sclerotherapy group and the operation method in surgery group was high ligation and vein stripping. 44.4% of patients treated initially by compression sclerotherapy and 80% of those treated surgically were given no further treatment. 6) The postoperative complications in surgery group were recurred or remained varicosity (5 cases), hematoma(2 cases), recurrent ulcer(1 case), wound dehiscence(1 case) and thrombophlebitis(1 case). 7) The complications in sclerotherapy group were recurred or remained varicosity(10 cases), induration and bluish discoloration(1 case).