important points from the history

Last reviewed 01/2018

A third of patients will have minor varicosities and simply be anxious about complications or disease progression. These patients may safely be reassured.

In other patients any history of skin changes should encourage referral for surgery because of the increased risk of ulceration.

Patients with a personal or strong family history of deep venous thrombosis or thrombophlebitis should receive prophylactic heparin post-operatively.