search
for
 About Bioline  All Journals  Testimonials  Membership  News


East and Central African Journal of Surgery
Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
ISSN: 1024-297X
EISSN: 1024-297X
Vol. 23, No. 1, 2018, pp. 11-17
Bioline Code: js18003
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

East and Central African Journal of Surgery, Vol. 23, No. 1, 2018, pp. 11-17

 en Graduated compression therapy usage among surgeons in the COSECSA region: A cross-sectional study
Ndeleva, Benjamin M. & Lakati, Kevin C.

Abstract

Background
Numerous studies have demonstrated that graduated compression therapy (GCT) is efficacious in the management of venous disorders, as well as in the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
This study aimed to delineate GCT usage by surgeons in the region served by the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA).

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study among surgeons attending the 17th COSECSA Annual Scientific Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, between 7 and 10 December 2016. Only surgeons practising in the COSECSA region were included. Participation was voluntary, and those who consented were asked to complete a pretested questionnaire.

Results
Ninety-four surgeons of various specialities submitted complete questionnaires. General and orthopaedic surgeons (48% and 30% of respondents, respectively) saw the most patients with venous disorders and patients at risk of VTE. Considering the mean number of patients seen, respondents prescribed GCT infrequently. Orthopaedic surgeons were the least likely to report having prescribed GCT for patients who might have benefited from such therapy, only doing so 15% of the time. The commonest indications for GCT prescription were varicose veins and VTE prophylaxis. The most commonly reported challenge was availability. No re- spondent reported experience with serious adverse events associated with GCT, such as limb ischaemia or nerve injury. A majority of the surgeons (58%) reported that GCT is effective for the prevention of VTE as well as the treatment of various venous disorders.

Conclusions
GCT is widely accepted as a useful tool in the prevention of VTE and management of various venous disorders among surgeons in the COSECSA region. However, GCT usage is low, owing to challenges such as availability.

Keywords
graduated compression therapy; compression stockings; venous insufficiency; venous thromboembolism; deep vein thrombosis; varicose veins; Africa

 
© Copyright 2018 - M. Ndeleva & K.C. Lakati.

Home Faq Resources Email Bioline
© Bioline International, 1989 - 2024, Site last up-dated on 01-Sep-2022.
Site created and maintained by the Reference Center on Environmental Information, CRIA, Brazil
System hosted by the Google Cloud Platform, GCP, Brazil