Treatment of varicose ulcer of the lower limbs by surgery and Unna boot: savings for the Brazilian healthcare system

• Main Author: Belczak,Sergio Quilici
• Publication Date: 2011
• Other Authors: Gornati,Vitor Cervantes, Aun,Ricardo, Sincos,Igor Rafael, Fragoso,Hélio
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Einstein (São Paulo)
• Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-45082011000300377
• topic: Varicose ulcer/surgery; Varicose ulcer/economics; Public health

ABSTRACT Objective: To perform an analysis of the costs of treatment of varicose ulcers by radical surgery of varices and the use of Unna boot. Methods: Fifteen outpatients were selected to receive treatment of varicose ulcers with radical surgery and Unna boot. The total cost of treatment was calculated (hospitalization, surgery, dressings, and outpatient's follow-up visits) and compared to the cost of clinical follow-up with daily simple dressing changes. Results: The proposed treatment was on average 55.71% more economical than the management with daily dressings (approximately US$452.32 versus US$1,021.39). Conclusion: Radical varicose vein surgery associated with the use of the Unna boot proved meaningly less expensive for the public health system than clinical follow-up with daily dressings.