A survey of the current management of varicose veins by members of the Vascular Surgical Society

assessment and treatment of varicose veins by members of the Vascular Surgi cal Society of Great Britain and Ireland has been assessed by postal questi onnaire. The response rate was 65%, of which 77% were general surgeons with a vascular interest, 21% were vascular surgeons only and 2% were non-vascu lar. Approximately four new patients with varicose veins are seen per surge on per week in clinics with a median waiting time to be seen of 12 weeks. A median of three varicose vein operations per surgeon per week are undertak en with 10-15% of surgery being performed for recurrent disease. The common est indications for surgery are symptomatic (97%) and complicated (98%) var icose veins, although 55% of surgeons also perform surgery for cosmesis. 65 % surgeons routinely use hand-held Doppler in the assessment of varicose ve ins; of the other methods available, Duplex scanning was used as the first line investigation by 83%. Although over 60% of surgeons use sclerotherapy surgery is the preferred option for primary treatment for varicose veins as sociated with long or short saphenous reflux. 62% surgeons use deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in patients undergoing varicose veins surgery select ively, and 27% use it routinely.