[Various aspects of phlebology in Sweden]

The incidence of symptomatic varicose veins seems to be about the same in most industrialized countries. After decades of radical surgical treatment of most cases with this condition a much more restrictive attitude seems to be present. Patients with limited varicose veins are often told that since there is no medical danger suffering from simple varicose veins, surgery is not necessary. A simple compression stocking is frequently advised. For those patients suffering from symptoms or a finding that their varicose veins are cosmetically disturbing, surgery is performed, however, restricted to be as minor as possible. The long saphenous vein is saved in those parts being competent. The surgical procedures are performed on an outpatient basis in almost all cases which means that the cost has been very much decreased. The incidence of venous leg ulcers has also decreased in Sweden. We seem to have an incidence of 0.3 p. cent ulcers of which 54 p. cent are of venous etiology. The cost for treatment of these patients is here as everywhere else very high as is also the cost for sick-leave. A conservative attitude using compressing stockings and screening to find out in which cases reconstructive venous surgery might be a possibility seems advisable especially in recurrent ulcer cases.