AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the time taken to return to work and duty rate (DR) after surgery for varicose vein (VV) using a cohort from social class VI from the military navy. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the durations of complete absence (CA) from work, work with restricted duty profile (RDP), and time taken to return to DR after surgery for VV after two different modalities of treatment in two different treatment era: high ligation and stripping (HLS) with stab avulsions (SA) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) with ultrasound-guided microfoam sclerotherapy (UGMS) before and during institutional VV program, respectively. Type of surgery, duration of CA, RDP, time taken to return to DR, and trade of the patients were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: An analysis of 137 patients who underwent HLS with SA from May 2015 to November 2019 and 61 patients who underwent EVLA with UGMS from December 2019 to August 2022 was performed. The mean age of the patients who underwent HLS with SA and EVLA with UGMS was 32.73 years and 33.06 years, respectively ( P = 0.736). The most common trade among the patients was seamen in both groups. Complication rates were similar in both groups ( P = 0.281). The mean duration of CA was 9.58 (3–28) days after HLS with SA and 5.95 (0–19) days after EVLA with UGMS ( P < 0.0001). The mean duration of RDP was 15.74 (0–189) and 16.98 (0–107) after HLS with SA and EVLA with UGMS, respectively ( P = 0.726). The time taken to return to DR was 25.4 (7–196) days and 23.22 (0–112) days after HLS with SA and EVLA with UGMS, respectively ( P = 0.542). CONCLUSIONS: Widespread use of EVLA with UGMS can be recommended to treat symptomatic VV in social class VI to minimize CA from work.
Keerthi Rajapaksha (Wed,) studied this question.