Treatment options, clinical outcome (quality of life) and cost benefit (quality-adjusted life year) in varicose vein treatment.

Varicose veins are an extremely common condition causing morbidity; however, with current financial pressures, treatment of such benign diseases is controversial. Many procedures allow the treatment of varicose veins with minimal cost and extensive literature supporting differing approaches. Here we explore the underlying evidence base for treatment options, the effect on clinical outcome and the cost-benefit economics associated with varicose vein treatment. The method of defining clinical outcome with quality-of-life assessment tools is also investigated to explain concepts of treatment success beyond abolition of reflux.