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Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether compression stockings were necessary after endovenous thermal ablation of varicose veins., Data Sources: Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database, were searched from inception to 10 March 2021 to identify all the related trials., Methods: Random or fixed effects models were used to generate pooled mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous data, risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data, and related 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The quality of evidence was graded with a specific tool (GRADEpro GDT) from the GRADE working group., Results: A total of seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 1 146 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Wearing compression stockings was correlated with lower post-operative pain scores from a 0 to 100 mm visual analogue scale (MD -8.00; 95% CI -12.01 - -3.99; p < .001). No difference was observed between wearing compression stockings or not in quality of life (SMD 0.45; 95% CI 0.14 - 1.04), major complications (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.26 -1.59), target vein occlusion rates (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.96 - 1.02), or time to return to work (MD -0.43; 95% CI 1.06 - 0.19)., Conclusion: After endovenous thermal ablation of varicose veins, wearing compression stockings was not associated with a better outcome except for mild pain relief. Post-operative compression stockings may be unnecessary after endovenous thermal ablation., (Copyright © 2021 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: To review the various quality of life (QoL) scales specific for chronic venous diseases (CVDs) and provide guidance and a reference for researchers to select the ideal measurement scale before studying QoL in patients with CVDs.The EBSCO, Ovid, PubMed, Wanfang, and CNKI databases were searched for the keywords "vein," "quality of life," and "scale/questionnaire," and various scales used to measure QoL in patients with CVDs. The QoL aspects were investigated and researched, and then, the search results were screened and summarized.A total of 10 major scales related to the QoL in patients with CVDs were included. The scales differed in dimension, reliability, validity, scoring method, evaluation method, and scope of application.The investigator should select the chronic venous disease QoL scale according to the research purpose and subjects, and then implement the scale to compare the specific aspects of QoL in patients with different CVDs., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: We performed this single-centre prospective study, aimed to analyse the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for primary isolated small saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency., Methods: From June 2017 to June 2019, patients with primary SSV insufficiency and receiving ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy were included in this study. The collected data included demographics of patients, clinical treatment results, occlusion rate and the patient's venous clinical severity score (VCSS) before and after surgery at 6-month follow-up., Results: A total of 26 patients (14 women and 12 men) underwent ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy in 26 lower limbs, and were followed up at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after surgery. Short-term complications included two severe pain during injection, one with vasovagal syncope, four with hyperpigmentation and two phlebitis. During 6-month follow-up, 22 were found to have complete thrombosis, and four showed partial thrombosis. There was a clear inverse relationship between SSV occlusion and SSV diameter (r = -0.502, P < 0.05), and pre-operative VCSS evaluation (r = -0.598, P < 0.05). At the same time, there was a weak inverse relationship between SSV occlusion and the volume of foam used (r = -0.357, P < 0.05). The pre-procedural VCSS score was 8.42 ± 3.25 and the post-procedural VCSS score was 7.16 ± 3.14. Deep vein thrombosis, nerve injury and other important complications did not occur., Conclusions: This study shows that ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is a safe and effective method for symptomatic SSV insufficiency, with less adverse reactions and better effects., (© 2020 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)