The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (lack of blinding), and by imprecise results (few patients and outcome events).
A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 4 studies with a total of 322 subjects with venous leg ulcers (aged 30 to 82 years). SEPS + compression therapy versus compression therapy (2 studies):The proportion of healed ulcers at 24 months increased in people treated with SEPS and compression therapy compared with compression therapy alone (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.33; 1 study; n=196).There was no difference in the risk of ulcer recurrence at 24 months (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.26 to 2.76; 2 studies, n=208).SEPS versus Linton approach (a type of open surgery, 1 study):There was no difference in ulcer healing at 24 months (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.09; 1 study, n=39) or in risk of recurrence at 60 months (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.10 to 2.30; 1 study, n=39) between SEPS and the Linton procedure.The Linton procedure was possibly associated with more adverse events than SEPS (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.60; 1 study, n=39). SEPS + saphenous surgery versus saphenous surgery (1 study):There was no difference in ulcer healing at 12 months (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.43; 1 study, n=22) or in the risk of recurrence at 12 months (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.15 to 6.91; 1 study, n=75) between participants treated with SEPS and saphenous surgery versus those treated with saphenous surgery alone.Thee was no statistically significant increase in adverse events in the SEPS group (RR 2.05, 95% CI 0.86 to 4.90; 1 study, n=75).
Primary/Secondary Keywords