A comparison of the complication rates following unilateral and bilateral varicose vein surgery

Abstract

Objective: To compare the complication rates of unilateral and bilateral varicose vein surgery.

Design: Observational clinical study with prospective data collection.

Setting: Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.

Subjects: 1090 patients undergoing varicose vein surgery during the period January 2002-June 2005. 695 (64%) of these had unilateral surgery and 395 (36%) had bilateral surgery giving a total of 1485 legs operated on (47% as a unilateral operation and 53% as a bilateral operation).

Results: 43/695 (6.2%) of patients who underwent unilateral surgery and 34/395 (8.6%) of patients who underwent bilateral surgery developed a wound infection. 77/695 (11%) of patients who underwent unilateral surgery developed paraesthesia compared to 81/395 (21%) for bilateral surgery. 2/695 (0.13%) unilateral surgery patients and no bilateral surgery patients developed neuralgia. Residual varicose veins were present in 30/695 (4.3%) of unilateral group and 32/395 (8.1%) of the bilateral group. 1/695 (0.14%) of unilateral surgery patients and 3/395 (0.75%) of bilateral surgery patients developed DVTs. Comparing limbs, a complication of any type was seen in 153/695 (22%) limbs treated by unilateral surgery and 150/790 (19% N.S., Chi squared) limbs treated by bilateral surgery.

Conclusion: Complications following varicose vein surgery appear to be more common following bilateral procedures. However, the complication rate per limb is similar for unilateral and bilateral operations.