Clinical Profile and Treatment Outcomes of Primary Varicose Veins: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center

Background: Varicose veins are a common and debilitating vascular condition resulting from impaired venous return against gravity, a consequence of upright posture. If left untreated, they may lead to serious complications such as lipo-dermato-sclerosis, non-healing ulcers, and bleeding. Early detection, severity assessment, and appropriate intervention are essential to prevent these complications. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic profile, clinical presentation, management strategies, and treatment outcomes among patients with primary varicose veins. Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over 24 months at a tertiary care hospital in India, enrolling 75 patients (105 limbs) who met inclusion criteria. Data collected included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, duplex ultrasound findings, CEAP classification, preoperative Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), treatment modality, surgical complications, and recurrence. Descriptive statistics were applied to baseline characteristics, while categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age at presentation was 44 ± 14.4 years, with a male predominance (88%). Dilated veins (100%) and leg pain (92.3%) were the most frequent symptoms. CEAP class C2 was the most common clinical grade (65.7%), and Sapheno-Femoral Junction incompetence was the predominant duplex finding (60.9%). Radio-Frequency Ablation (RFA) was the preferred modality of treatment which was performed in 75.2% ( n = 79) of limbs. Postoperative complications were seen in 14 (13.3%) limbs, pain being the most common, seen in 10 (9.5%) limbs. The mean VCSS significantly decreased from 6.14 preoperatively to 2.04 postoperatively ( P < 0.001). Follow-up duplex scans at 6 months demonstrated complete vessel occlusion with no recurrence in all patients. Conclusion: Management of varicose veins requires a multimodality approach. Radiofrequency ablation, as a minimally invasive technique, demonstrated excellent outcomes in this cohort, with low morbidity, significant symptom improvement, and high success rates.