The clinical and cost effectiveness of three day limb compression with Coban ™ following surgery on varicose veins

Background: Compression bandaging has been standard practice varicose vein repair surgery. Objectives: To explore the feasibility of the exclusive use of three day Coban bandaging in following varicose vein surgery. Design: Patient based questionnaire study. Methods: Consecutive patients, (C2-C6) listed for open surgical operation completed a pre-operative and post-operative Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity Score (AVVSS). A separate questionnaire was distributed for problems related specifically to the Coban including the ease of removing the bandage. The typical cost of management using Crepe and stocking was also compared with the cost of Coban. Results: Fifty two patients completed both the pre and post-operative AVSS questionnaire amounting to 66 limbs. The mean pre and post-operative AVSS were 31.8 and 22.1, respectively giving an improvement of · ·9.7 post-procedure (p < 0.001, paired t-test). Coban compression was · ·9.67 cheaper than traditional crepe/ stocking per limb. When the cost of District Nurse visit was included, then the use of Coban became an average · ·110 cheaper. Conclusion: Coban compression is safe, effective and cost-efficient.