Assessment of the results of surgery for varicose veins

Abstract

Fifty-six patients undergoing primary surgery for unilateral varicose veins by a standardized Trendelenburg procedure were reviewed postoperatively by a panel of three observers. Agreement between the observers was high in assessing symptomatic response (up to 98 per cent), but only moderate in evaluation of any visual changes in affected legs (60 per cent). Moreover, intra-observer agreement comparing symptomatic response and visual impression was very low (30·4 per cent). It is suggested that inter-series comparisons should be made solely upon the response of specific symptoms to treatment.