Advances in Clinical Phlebology

According to different epidemiological studies in Europe more than 50% of adults have varicose veins, 13% suffer from advanced stages with skin changes on the lower legs and about 1% have ulcerations. The socio- economic importance of venous diseases of the lower leg in the industrial countries concerning the costs for inability to work and for medical care is enormous. Despite all our efforts regarding prophylaxis deep vein thrombosis followed by pulmonary embolism is one of the most frequent causes for death especially in hospital patients.