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GEORGE E. MANOLARAKIS

manogeo2002@yahoo.gr

Conference papers

2005
 
DOI 
G E Manolarakis, E Bounialetos, E Gougourela, K Mathianaki, A Kampitaki, G Diamantopoulou, E Kalatzopoulou, A Plati, G Delaportas (2005)  Managing chronic venous insufficiency of legs at the primary health care setting in Greece. Experience from a rural region of the Crete Island.   In: Proceedings of the 15th World Congress. Appendix. Edited by:Angelo Scuderi.. 1 - 9 Medimond International Proceedings Division Bologna, Italy: Monduzzi editore  
Abstract: Introduction: Disturbances of the venous circulation are some of the most familiar clinical entities. In the present study, we attempt to bring out the possibilities of the primary health care physicians to the convenient diagnosis and confrontation of the leg venous insufficiency’s preoperative stages. Methods: 54 women and 3 men from an isolated mountainous region of a Greek island, aged between 35 and 85 (mean: 69,8 years) participated at the study. They presented various symptoms of chronic venous dysfunction of the lower limbs (from the initial stages until the appearance of varicose and leg ulcers). All the patients, after a reception of a fully detailed background and physical examination, were categorized in a base of their clinical situation according to VDS scale (Venous Disability Score), which constituted also a useful tool for the follow-up process. The study’s duration was one year. Results: From the 57 patients, 15 were free of pathologic symptoms and the real reason of their attendance was other else (knee or ankle osteoarthritis, sciatica and swelling caused from lower limb injuries). From the 42 symptomatic, 13 presented a combination of some musculoskeletal disease with venous dysfunction, 4 developed venous insufficiency postoperatively (one man after internal fixation of a bimalleolar fracture and 3 women after cancer surgery) and the remainder 25 patients suffered from pure chronic venous insufficiency. The treatment consisted to oral medication local application of heparinoids in combination with materials that provide graded compression, such as bandages or special socks and physiotherapy, while 9 patients with advanced insufficiency were referred to a specialist for further evaluation. Discussion: As it results, the 84,2% of patients suffering from low to moderate venous insufficiency was managed effectively while the 15,8% of them with severe insufficiency needed the intervention of a vascular surgeon. With the numbers available, everyone can realize that the management of leg chronic venous dysfunction’s preoperative stages at the primary health care setting is feasible.
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