OBJECTIVE: To reach
consensus on which complications of varicose vein treatments physicians consider
major or minor, in order to standardize the informed consent procedure and improve shared decision-making.
METHODS: Using the e-Delphi method, expert physicians from 10 countries were asked to rate complications as \"
major\" or \"minor\" on a 5-point Likert scale. Reference articles from a Cochrane review on varicose veins were used to compose the list of complications.
RESULTS: Participating experts reached
consensus on 12
major complications: allergic reaction, cellulitis requiring intravenous antibiotics/intensive care, wound infection requiring debridement, hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion/surgical intervention, pulmonary embolism, skin necrosis requiring surgery, arteriovenous fistula requiring repair, deep venous thrombosis, lymphocele, thermal injury, transient ischemic attack/stroke, and permanent discoloration.
CONCLUSIONS: An international
consensus was reached about what physicians consider to be
major complications of varicose vein treatments. This consensus may assist in standardizing the information physicians discuss with patients prior to varicose vein treatment.