BACKGROUND: Endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) of varicose veins is now the first-line therapy for truncal reflux, yet consensus on peri-procedural pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is lacking. METHODS: A ten-item, online, anonymized survey was distributed to all 291 members of the Spanish Chapter of Phlebology and Lymphology (CEFyL-SEACV) in February 2024. Items explored respondent demographics, anaesthesia, use, timing, drug choice and duration of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis after EVTA. Results are reported as frequencies. RESULTS: Of 291 surgeons, 120 replied (response rate 41%, 120/291); 110 routinely performed EVTA and formed the analytic sample. Most had >10 years of venous experience (84%, 101/120) and practiced in public (48%, 58/120) or private (44%, 53/120) hospitals. Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis was prescribed by 95.5% (105/110): routinely in 80.9% (89/110) and selectively in 14.5% (16/110). Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was preferred (92.7%, 102/110); direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were rare (6.4%, 7/110). Prophylaxis was initiated immediately post-procedure in 39.1% (41/110), within 1-6 h in 37.1% (39/110) and ≥6 h in 22.9% (24/110). Standard duration was 6-10 days for 69.5% (73/105), whereas patients with pro-thrombotic risk factors frequently received extended courses (≥15 days in 16.2%, 17/105). CONCLUSIONS: Spanish vascular surgeons widely adopt pharmacological thromboprophylaxis after EVTA, but timing and duration vary substantially in the absence of definitive guidelines. These findings highlight the need for a national, evidence-based consensus to harmonize practice and optimize patient safety.
Fernández et al. (2026) studied this question.