J Korean Med Assoc.  2010 Nov;53(11):1006-1014.

Treatment of varicose vein

• Cho DY

Abstract

High venous pressure in leg from walking in erect position can lead the development of defective valves and reflux, and superficial veins may become elongated and tortuous. Women are more prone to varicose vein due to hormonal influences and pregnancy. Besides long standing occupation and female gender, there are other risk factors including age, family history, obesity, and prior deep vein thrombosis. Recently developed health related quality of life has contributed to concern more about varicose vein and develop the treatment modalities of varicose vein. Because of the chronicity of the development of varicose vein, most patients are usually accustomed to high venous pressure of their leg and feel minor or no discomfort. Among the reasons to seek for the treatment of varicose vein, cosmetic purpose is the most common. Most patients prefer non-surgical treatment including sclerotheraphy to surgical intervention. High ligation and stripping of varicose vein has remained as the standard treatment of varicose vein with excellent long term results. Minimal invasive non-surgical treatments including radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser treatment have shown less scars and earlier mobility. Newer treatment modalities have to prove comparable long term results, not merely better cosmetic and short term results. We reviewed about the development of varicose vein and the treatment modalities including preventive measures. Correct comprehension of the patient and proper application of the treatment modality are essential for the good result without recurrence after the treatment of varicose vein.

Keyword

Varicose veins; Therapeutics; Surgical procedures; Sclerotherapy; Laser theraphy

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Comprehension
Cosmetics
Female
Humans
Leg
Ligation
Obesity
Occupations
Pregnancy
Quality of Life
Recurrence
Risk Factors
Sclerotherapy
Varicose Veins
Veins
Venous Pressure
Venous Thrombosis
Walking
Cosmetics

Figure

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  Figure 1 Schematic drawing of muscle pump. The deep vein is surrounded by the calf muscle. During muscle relaxation, the deep vein is filled with the blood from distal part and the superficial vein through the perforating vein. During contraction, muscle eject the blood from the deep vein to the heart and the valves in the perforating vein are closed to block the flow from the deep vein to the superficial vein.

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