Gutman H, Zelikovski A, Haddad M, Reiss R.
Clinical experience treating varicose veins in the aged.
Am Surg 1989 Oct;55(10):625-8

Vascular Unit, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.

Patients over 70 years of age suffering from varicose veins or complications of
venous insufficiency formed 6.7 per cent of the population treated in our
phlebologic clinic in 10 years. This group of patients is unable to perform
intensive walking exercises and fails to use high-pressure elastic stockings;
thus, most of the so-called "conservative armamentarium" is nonapplicable. This
challenged us to find alternative or modified ways of treatment for this
high-risk-for-surgery group. An isolated Trendelenburg procedure under local
anesthesia, with sclerotherapy and/or transfixion sutures as an outpatient
procedure, was used. In the case of stasis ulceration, patients were treated with
sequential intermittent pneumatic compression including local hyperbaric oxygen
and teaching the use of elastic support as an inhospital procedure. Both methods
proved successful, thereby offering a more acceptable solution to one of the
chronic problems of the older age group.