Objective: To assess the views of surgeons in the UK concerning the surgical management of patients with bilateral varicose veins (BVV) requiring surgery.
Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Questions concerned the use of BVV surgery in general, its use on day-case patients and which factors influenced decision-making in this area.
Results: In all, 63% of surgeons never or only occasionally performed BVV surgery as a day case, whereas only 27% never or only occasionally performed BVV surgery on inpatients. The majority (70.2%) were not influenced by patient age or occupation (81.9%). The patient's general health was, however, a factor in decision-making for the majority (60.1%), as was the extent of the varicosities (52.8%). Other important factors were the availability of a second surgeon and a perception that there was likely to be increased morbidity with BVV surgery.
Conclusions: There appears to be considerable variation between individual surgeons in the UK with regard to BVV surgery. This is manifested mainly as a reluctance to perform BVV as a day case by a significant number of surgeons. As there is no randomized trial(s) in this area, no firm guidance can be given. The issue is worthy of further study and may have significant health economic implications.
