Treatment of Venous Ulceration by Injection Sclerotherapy and Compression Hosiery: A 5-Year Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the use of graduated compression stockings reduces the rate of recurrence of venous ulceration. Design: Prospective, closed, non-randomised study of 126 patients with a previous history of venous ulceration for five years. Setting: The Varicose Vein Clinic of Sir Patrick Dun's and Adelaide Hospitals. Patients: 126 patients attending the Varicose Vein Clinic who had undergone successful healing of venous ulcers by injection compression sclerotherapy. Intervention: All patients underwent clinical examination and venous pressure measurement, and were then fitted with graduated compression stockings. Those patients dropping out of the study (21) were used as a comparison group. Main outcome measure: The recurrence rate of venous ulcers. Results: At the end of the 5 year study period patients were divided into 3 groups – those who had ulcer recurrence (33), those who were free of ulcers (72), and those (21) who had dropped out of the study, the last group showing a higher recurrence rate than those who had worn stockings.