A STUDY OF CLINICAL FEATURES EVALUATION AND SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS OF LOWER LIMBS

Background: Varicose veins have been described as chronic venous disorder since ancient times. The number of patients coming to hospital for treatment is far less than the actual incidence as they come to hospitals only when complications arise

Objectives: To study the clinical presentations, surgical management and its outcome and complications associated with varicose veins in lower limbs.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with primary varicose veins were sourced from cases admitted to Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital attached to Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga from 1^st August 2022 to 31st January 2024. They were investigated, operated and followed up, and the outcome evaluated. All the information was taken down in the proforma designed for the study.

Results: The study observed that the majority of patients 44%belonged to the age group of 41-60 years, Male to Female ratio being 7.3:1. The most common presenting symptom being pain 86%followed by edema 52%, most common usg finding being perforator incompetence92%.in the study 94% patients underwent Subfascial Perforator Ligation,50%underwent only Saphenofemoral flush ligation. Study revealed that 18% patients had complications of wound infection, thrombophlebitis, hematoma in the immediate postoperative period. In follow-up after 3 months 6% patients had Saphenous Neuralgia.

Conclusion: The prevalence of varicose veins is most common in middle aged individuals with males being more commonly affected than females, prolonged standing was observed as the significant risk factor. Surgical interventions like the Trendelenburg operation with Stripping and Subfascial Perforator ligation are highly effective for treating varicose veins, Bisgaards method is effective for Healing Ulcers. Most postoperative complications were managed conservatively and showed excellent resolution with time. No patient developed life threatening or debilitating complications and there was no mortality or recurrence in this study.