Compression with 23？mmHg or 35？mmHg stockings after saphenous catheter foam sclerotherapy and phlebectomy of varicose veins: A randomized controlled study

To compare two different medical compression stockings after varicose vein treatment. A randomized single-blind controlled study on two compression regimes after saphenous catheter foam sclerotherapy？+？phlebectomy was performed. After pads and 5？mmHg contention sock, 23？mmHg (group A, Struva 23？) or 35？mmHg (group B, Struva 35？) medical compression stocking was applied 24？h/day for seven days; subsequently 21–23？mmHg medical compression stocking in daytime. Symptoms, compliance, skin findings, and bioimpedance spectroscopy parameters were assessed. A total of 94 patients (48 and 49 limbs in groups A and B, respectively) were enrolled. Three (T3) and seven (T7) days post-operatively, most symptoms were significantly milder in group B, especially pain and heaviness at T7 and at day 40 (T40). Ambulation, medical compression stocking stability/tolerability and skin healing were significantly better in group B, with p？=？0.046, 0.021/0.060, and 0.010, respectively, at T7. Bioimpedance parameters increased at T7 and decreased at T40 in both groups; leg reactance and limb L-Dex improved in group B at T7 and T40, respectively (p？=？0.039 and 0.012). Compression with 23 and 35？mmHg medical compression stocking after catheter foam sclerotherapy？+？phlebectomy was effective and well tolerated at immediate/short term. Compression with 35？mmHg medical compression stocking provided less adverse post-operative symptoms and better tissue healing. Bioimpedance results confirmed a slightly better edema improvement with 35？mmHg medical compression stocking