J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 116(3): 171-174, 2015

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Feature topic

NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS AND ITS COUNTERMEASURES

Lower-extremity varicose veins are a representative common condition among the various pathologies that general surgeons are responsible for treating. Their treatment also provides opportunities for students and young physicians to appreciate how interesting the practice of surgery is as well as opportunities for training. Recently, intravenous endoablation has caused a paradigm shift in this important field, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of stripping operations performed; a change from inpatient to outpatient care; the introduction of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and radiologists into this field; and, finally, a change in the place where care is provided (from acute-care hospitals to outpatient clinics). If surgeons do not take action, we may lose opportunities to recruit and train young surgeons. To minimize this negative impact, we created a vein clinic that is managed by and for young surgeons in training. Furthermore, we advocate the modification of regulatory hurdles that hamper the performance of endovenous ablation therapy by surgeons.

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