Last update:
21-Mar-2016

Varicose veins are a highly prevalent medical condition worldwide, which has a considerable socio-economic impact on patients, carers and health care systems. In order to increase operative efficacy, to improve the health related quality of life of patients and to reduce the risk of postoperative complications and costs, minimally invasive techniques have been introduced. This is a review and meta-analysis of studies comparing minimally invasive techniques and conventional surgery for varicose veins with respect to postoperative health related quality of life. The search strategy yielded four homogeneous studies comparing endovenous laser therapy with conventional surgery that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Publication bias assessed by three methods indicated possible bias in one. Statistical synthesis of the results of the studies showed no significant differences between the groups under comparison. No evidence was found favouring either endovenous laser therapy or conventional surgery with respect to the impact of the technique on the health related quality of life of patients undergoing treatment for varicose veins.

Key words: Health-related quality of life, Varicose veins.