[Varicothrombophlebitis. Current clinco-statistical aspects. Surgical treatment and its socioeconomic importance]

A clinical and statistical comparison a is made of the surgical frequency of cases of varicothrombophlebitis in 1972-1976 (10.8%), as reported in 1977, and 1977-1978 (38,3%). An objective assessment is made of this increase and its current interest. The degree of understanding reached by the general practitioner and patients of their district is held to be responsible for the increase. Stress is laid on the advantages of early surgery and some of its techniques. Medical management, on the other hand, not only delays surgical resolution, but also encourages the onset of complications that may convert an apparently benign disease into a crippling, or even mortal form (extension of the thrombophlebitic process to the deep circulation, followed by post-thrombotic syndromes, pulmonary embolism, ecc.). Two benefits to society are confered by surgical management: 1) rapid and final cure with a short hospital stay, low cost of theraputic aids, ecc.; 2) early and completion re-insertion of the patient into his social and working surroundings, free of the sense of psychological frustration brought about by the mistaken and general conviction that an unattainable, final cure has in fact been achieved.