Prophylactic GSV surgery in elderly candidates for hip or knee arthroplasty

Aging is one of the major risk factors for varicose veins. The same is for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis. Most of the patients undergoing to Hip (THA) or Knee (TKA) arthroplasty are over sixteen. Varicose veins, excluding thrombophilia, are the most significant risk factors for VTE after THA and TKA. This study investigates on the usefulness of prophylactic treatment of GSV insufficiency in elderly patients undergoing to orthopedic surgery. A retrospective study enrolling 44 over-sixty five patients, undergoing to TKA or THA. 24 patients underwent to traditional surgery and 20 to EVLA. The presence of evident varicosities and/or a saphenic reflux lasting > 500 ms has been considered as operability criterion. Both in surgery and EVLA group has been performed the ablation of visible varicosities and only saphenic refluxing traits. Results: 1 case of symptomatic DVT was recorded after arthroplasty. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.006) of recovery time between surgery and EVLA groups has been detected. There is not a statistically significant difference in long-term recurrence rate between surgery and EVLA. Conclusions: It is useful to program GSV surgery, before treat hip or knee. This study showed a 50% decrease in the incidence of postoperative DVT.