# Post-saphenous vein ablation compression therapy practices: a study among members of the Brazilian society of angiology and vascular surgery

## TL;DR

This study examines the compression therapy practices of Brazilian vascular surgeons after saphenous vein ablation, finding varied immediate approaches but a common use of 20-30 mmHg stockings later.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into current Brazilian practices for post-ablation compression therapy, highlighting a lack of consensus in initial methods.

## Key findings

- 99% of surgeons apply compression immediately after ablation, with varied preferences for compression types.
- After the initial phase, 88.4% use additional compression, predominantly 20-30 mmHg stockings for an average of 39.3 days.
- Laser ablation is the most common technique, and 94% treat associated varicose veins during the same procedure.

## Abstract

Despite considerable study, there is still no consensus defining the ideal compression regimen after ablation of the great saphenous vein with radio frequency or endolaser.

To identify the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery members’ current compression therapy practices after ablation of the great saphenous vein.

A multiple-choice electronic questionnaire on post-endovenous ablation compression was developed and made available on-line to Brazilian vascular surgeons for 60 days.

A total of 430 responses were received, 362 (84.2%) of which were considered valid. Laser ablation was the predominant technique (73.5%) and the majority of procedures were conducted in hospitals or day hospitals. Ninety-four percent of the surgeons treated associated varicose veins in the same procedure, for which phlebectomy was the technique most employed. After ablation of the great saphenous vein, 99% of the surgeons applied compression immediately; 34.3% used 35 mmHg compression stockings, 26% preferred crepe bandages, and 12.4% opted for 20-30 mmHg compression stockings, with an average duration of 2.79 (±2 days). After this period, 88.4% used additional compression, with 20-30 mmHg compression stockings (80.9%) and an average duration of 39.3 (±24.0 days).

Compression therapy is widely employed after thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein. Practice immediately after ablation was divergent, but after the initial phase, the majority of surgeons prescribed additional compression, predominantly using 20-30 mmHg stockings.

Apesar dos estudos, a definição do regime de compressão ideal após a ablação da veia safena magna por radiofrequência e por endolaser ainda é controversa.

Identificar as práticas atuais de terapia compressiva após a ablação da veia safena magna entre os membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular.

Um questionário eletrônico de múltipla escolha sobre a compressão pós-ablação endovenosa foi desenvolvido e divulgado on-line aos cirurgiões vasculares brasileiros por 60 dias.

Das 430 respostas obtidas, 362 (84,2%) foram consideradas válidas. A ablação a laser foi a técnica predominante (73,5%), sendo a sua maioria realizada em hospital ou hospital-dia. Além disso, 94% dos cirurgiões tratavam as varizes associadas no mesmo procedimento, sendo a flebectomia a técnica mais comumente empregada. Após a ablação da veia safena magna, 99% dos cirurgiões aplicaram compressão imediatamente; 34,3% indicaram o uso de meias de 35 mmHg; 26% deram preferência a ataduras de crepom; e 12,4% optaram pelo uso de meias de 20-30 mmHg, com média de uso de 2,79 (±2 dias). Após esse período, 88,4% utilizaram compressão adicional, com meias de 20-30 mmHg (80,9%), com média de uso de 39,3 (±24,0 dias).

A terapia compressiva é amplamente adotada após a ablação térmica da veia safena magna. Observa-se diversidade na prática imediatamente após a ablação, mas após uma fase inicial, a maioria dos cirurgiões opta por compressão adicional com predominância de meias de 20-30 mmHg.