Vascular training does matter in the outcomes of saphenous high ligation and stripping

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Castro Ferreira, R (Author) FMUP; Quelhas, MJ (Author) Other; Freitas A (Author) FMUP; Vidoedo, J (Author) Other; Silva, EA (Author) Other; Marinho, A (Author) Other; Abreu, R (Author) Other; Coelho, A (Author) FMUP; Dias, PG (Author) Other; Sampaio S. (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders

Vol. 7

Pages: 732-738

ISSN: 2213-333X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-GS5

DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2019.01.060

Abstract (EN): Objective: Varicose vein (VV) surgery is frequently performed by surgeons without formal vascular training. We aimed to compare the outcomes of the procedure based on the background of the surgeon. Methods: All patients registered with VV surgery between 2004 and 2016 in Portuguese public hospitals were included in the study. Intrahospital outcomes were assessed from this administrative database. A random multicenter sample of 315 patients submitted to saphenous high ligation and stripping (175 patients from six vascular surgery departments and 140 patients from five general surgery divisions) were further queried over the phone, whereby additional nonregistered outcomes were evaluated: preoperative venous ultrasound, impact on quality of life by the 14-item Chronic Venous Insufficiency Quality of Life Questionnaire, visual analogue scale evaluation (score of 1 to 5) of the aesthetic results and general satisfaction, work absence days, and time to return to physical activities. Results: In 13 years, there were 153,382 patients submitted to VV surgery. Of these, 49% were operated on by general surgeons and 40% by vascular surgeons; in 11%, it was not possible to identify the specialty performing the operation. Twenty-three deaths were registered (no differences between groups). In the general surgery group, 14% of patients were hospitalized for more than one night compared with 3% in the vascular group (P < .001). Reintervention rate during the period analyzed was significantly higher in the general surgery group (13.5% vs 8.2%; P < .001). Rate of outpatient surgery was higher in the vascular surgery group (60% vs 36%; P < .001). Phone query revealed similar overall satisfaction and improvement in quality of life in both groups (4.2 vs 4.0 [P = .275] and 35% vs 36% [P = .745], respectively). However, patients operated on by general surgeons reported worse surgical scars (2.8 vs 2.1; P = .007), higher number of residual Ws (2.4 vs 1.7; P= .006), and higher number of days absent from work (40 vs 27 days; P= .005) and took longer to resume physical activities (60 vs 41 days; P = .001). Conclusions: Despite that the majority of VV surgery in Portugal is executed by general surgeons, this study highlights important advantages when it is performed by surgeons with vascular training.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7