Study of Clinical Features and Management of Varicose Veins of Lower Limb

Varicose veins are a common condition that the current paper elaborates the features of the condition in a local Indian population. Methodology: Over a two year period all admitted patients to a government tertiary level district hospital of varicose veins were evaluated for demographics, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome. Results: This study reveals that the disease is more prevalent during the active adult life in their 3rd and 4th decades and males were more affected. The occupations needing prolonged standing and use of violent muscular efforts is found to be a contributing or precipitating factor for varicose veins. Hereditary factors may play an important role in the development of varicose veins. 25% of patients had a family history of varicose veins occurring in close relatives. Majority of patients presented to the hospital for complications of the disease (60%) rather than for cosmetic purposes. The commonest symptoms in the study were prominent swellings in the lower limb and pain. Majority of the patients had combined valvular incompetence (71%). The most common post-operative complication observed was wound infection (25%).