Draft Revision of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Varicose Veins -Introduction-

Clinical practice guideline was developed to be suitable for medical conditions in Korea based on scientific evidences. The aim was to improve the level of treatment of varicose veins in Korea, thereby improving the quality of life of patients and contributing to the improvement of national health. In addition, the best medical information was provided to patients and the public so that they could receive optimal treatment. The selection of key questions was based on the Korean guidelines for the chronic venous insufficiency published in 2013, and was adjusted from the previous 20 recommendations to 13 recommendations. Clinical practice guideline was developed comprehensively through a multidisciplinary approach led by the Korean Society for Phlebology. Above all, this article was intended to advise that we should give more weight to evidence-based medicine rather than experience-based medicine and to reflect the domestic reality and also to draw recommendations via a highly validated consensus. This would ultimately allow for the clarification of the method of developing and matching recommendations and evidence. (Ann Phlebology 2020;18:19-22)