[Phlebologic management of seropositive patients]

There appears to be an increase in the number of HIV-positive patients seeking treatment for varicose veins. This is due to the increase of the incidence of the disease in the population, its spread amongst non-marginalized people and because the patients known that although their long-term prognosis is poor, they do have a latency period during which they can live a normal life. Should HIV-positive varicose patients be considered in the same way as other varicose patients or should they be refused treatment unless this is really indispensable? This is the main pratical question, because many patients are refused treatment, whereas the authors make no distinction in principle. The authors ask what impact will this attitude have on the work of the consultation service and try to give some guidelines.