EFFECT OF HEPARIN GEL ON RESOLUTION OF POSTOPERATIVE SUBCUTANEOUS HEMATOMA.

Surgical stripping of great saphenous vein during varicose vein surgery implies appearance of variable extent of subcutaneous hematoma along the line of stripping that may give rise to increased postoperative pain, reduced mobility and aesthetic nuisance. Therefore, timely and effective prevention and treatment of subcutaneous hematoma may speed up recovery after varicose vein surgery that is considered as routine operation in all relevant vascular centers. Aim of this study is to test effectiveness of heparin gel that is recommended by manufacturer for the treatment of subcutaneous hematoma since no such study has been performed and reported in English publications available on Internet. Two groups of patients after varicose vein surgery were analyzed with regard to time required for resolution of postoperative subcutaneous hematoma. Group that was treated with heparin gel was compared with control group. Patients were randomized according to surface area of hematoma and gender. Results have shown that group that received regular treatment with heparin gel had significantly shorter time required for disappearance of subcutaneous hematoma in comparison with control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]