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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
[Varicose veins: disfigurement or disease?]
1Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Abteilung für Allgemeine Dermatologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. kornelia.boehler@meduniwien.ac.at
Insights
Varicose veins affect many, but most cases are minor. Progressive disease can lead to venous ulcers, requiring effective treatments like endoluminal procedures and compression therapy for healing.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Dermatology
- Phlebology
Context:
- Varicose veins are a common condition with varying severity.
- Minor varicose veins pose minimal health risks, but some progress to chronic venous insufficiency.
- Venous ulcers represent a severe complication of progressive varicose veins.
Purpose:
- To discuss the subjective perception and objective risks associated with varicose veins.
- To review therapeutic options, emphasizing cosmetic outcomes for non-progressive cases.
- To highlight effective treatments for progressive venous insufficiency and venous ulcers.
Summary:
- Approximately 60% of individuals have minor varicose veins without health risks.
- Endoluminal procedures offer cosmetic benefits without compromising efficacy for non-progressive disease.
- Surgery and compression therapy are crucial for managing progressive venous insufficiency and treating venous ulcers, with about 60% healing in 24 weeks.
Impact:
- Informs patients about the spectrum of varicose vein disease and treatment goals.
- Guides clinical practice towards patient-centered care, balancing cosmetic and functional outcomes.
- Underscores the importance of timely intervention for preventing severe complications like venous ulcers.
Abstract:
According to one's subjective appraisal varicose veins will be perceived as more or less disfiguring. About 60% of the population suffer from only minor variants of varicose veins which bear no risk to health. A certain percentage will develop progressive disease with the venous ulcer representing the worst variant of chronic venous insufficiency. As long as there is no progressive disease, therapeutic modalities also account for a superior cosmetic appearance. Endoluminal procedures in particular meet with the claim for a superior treatment result with respect to cosmetic outcome without diminution of efficiency. In case of progressive venous insufficiency appearance is of inferior importance. About 70% of venous ulcers are due to primary varicose veins. Surgery of all accessible superficial refluxing veins is important to prevent recurrence. Compression treatment is highly effective in preventing chronic venous insufficiency and in venous ulcer treatment. About 60% of venous ulcers heal within a 24-week treatment period.
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