Return to work, driving and other activities after varicose vein surgery is very variable and is influenced little by advice from specialists
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Updated: Jun 22, 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
R J Darwood1, N Walker, M Bracey
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK. rosie_darwood@btinternet.com
Objectives:
To determine the effect of altering written advice on return to activities following varicose vein surgery.
Methods:
During two consecutive four-month periods, 134 patients (84 female, median age 57 years) were given two different information booklets. The first booklet (76 patients) suggested 7-10 days before driving and 2-3 weeks before returning to work. The second booklet (58 patients) explicitly advised return to all activities as soon as possible. Patients were contacted 6 weeks following surgery. Advice was sought from motor insurance companies about their views on return to driving.
Results:
There was huge variation in time to driving (0-35 days, median 7), work (1-45 days, median 14) and "all normal activities" (1-62 days, median 21), but no significant differences between the two groups. There were paradoxes in the delays to driving and different types of work. Delays to driving or work were longer after bilateral surgery (p=0.01).
Conclusion:
Changing written advice did not influence the time to return to activities following varicose vein surgery, which was highly variable. Other factors may influence recovery and may be challenging for specialists to change. Consistent advice is important when comparing recovery from different treatments.
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