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Graduated compression stockings (20−30 mmHG) do not compress leg veins in the standing position
Author(s) -
Lord Reginald S. A.,
Hamilton Debra
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2004.02994.x
Subject(s) - medicine , varicose veins , supine position , compression stockings , lower limbs venous ultrasonography , deep vein , great saphenous vein , surgery , long saphenous vein , compression (physics) , thrombosis , materials science , composite material
Background: Since graduated compression stockings (GCS) reduce the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in both hospital and ambulant patients, we checked the compressive efficiency of 20−30 mmHg GCS in the standing position. Methods: In 30 volunteers (17 normal legs, 13 varicose legs), duplex ultrasound was used to measure the internal diameters of the long saphenous vein, posterior tibial veins, peroneal veins, and soleal veins in the lying and standing position and with and without 20−30 mmHg GCS. Results: Graduated compression stockings effectively compressed both superficial and deep veins in supine individuals but not the superficial or the deep veins when standing. In the varicose leg, the stockings did not compress the long saphenous vein at the mid‐calf level even when supine. In the varicose leg the long saphenous vein was constricted at the upper band of the stocking, which might explain why superficial venous thrombosis is more common when compression stockings are worn. Conclusions: In the standing position, GCS did not compress the deep or superficial veins of the calf.