An interesting article from the last issue of “Phlebology” summing up current knowledge about compression therapy – probably the most “uncomfortable” part of the venous treatment.
The key points are as follows:
- Robust evidence was found for prevention and treatment of venous leg ulcers.
- Recommendations for stocking-use after great saphenous vein interventions were limited to the first post interventional week.
- No randomised clinical trials are available that document a prophylactic effect of medical compression stockings on the progression of chronic venous disease (CVD) – in another words interventional treatment like laser ablation or glue occlusion are more effective.
- In acute deep vein thrombosis, immediate compression is recommended to reduce pain and swelling.
- Despite conflicting results from a recent study to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome, medical compression stockings are still recommended.
- In thromboprophylaxis, the role of stockings in addition to anticoagulation is limited.
- For the maintenance phase of lymphoedema management, compression stockings are the most important intervention.
The whole article can be read here: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0268355516689631#articleShareContainer