In the last two years, the guidelines for the management of varicose veins put out by recognised venous groups around the world have stated that surgery should no longer be considered as the first option in the treatment of varicose veins. Doctors and researchers have agreed that there are several non-invasive methods of varicose vein treatment which have greater treatment success rates, fewer side effects and complications and less patient recovery time.
MEDICAL GROUPS ON VARICOSE VEINS TREATMENT
From the 2012 joint guidelines published in the USA by two surgical groups (the American Venous Forum and the Society for Vascular Surgery), it is stated that:
“The need for such guidelines has been evident since imaging techniques and minimally invasive technologies have progressed by leaps and bounds and radio frequency ablation, laser and sclerotherapy have largely replaced classical open surgery of saphenous stripping……The management of varicose veins has rapidly progressed in the last two decades and open surgical treatment using the classical high ligation and saphenous stripping is rarely performed today”.
From the European guidelines for Sclerotherapy published in 2013, it is stated that:
“Sclerotherapy is recommended for all types of veins”.
From the UK guidelines published in July 2013, it is stated that:
“For people with confirmed varicose veins and truncal reflux that patients should be offered endothermal ablation and if endothermal ablation is unsuitable, offer Ultrasound Guided foam Sclerotherapy”.
VARICOSE VEINS TREATMENT SUCCESS RATES
There are numerous reports of success rates for the various treatment options. The long-term success rates for the various treatment options are approximate:
