Download the report - KCE

KCE Reports 164C Varicose veins in legs i
FOREWORD
When new medical techniques or new treatments make an entrance, the question
always arises of whether this should be preferred to the older one and whether
invoicing codes should be adapted to take account of the difference in cost between the
old and the new techniques.
This type of question arose a little while ago for the diagnosis and treatment of varicose
veins in the legs. Surgical 'stripping', which for years had a monopoly on surgical
treatment, gradually had to make way to less invasive techniques which, as a result, are
more attractive to both doctor and patient.
But are these new techniques as effective as the old? Do they not have any serious side
effects? Do they jeopardise the customary approach in the field of anaesthesia? In short,
should we now revise the organisation of the treatment of varicose veins?
As this is a very widespread pathology it is logical that the political bodies, and
specifically the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance, want to create
transparency here. For that reason the KCE was asked to consider this issue more
closely.
The challenge in this project consisted of taking sufficiently homogenous data from
literature in connection with a number of divergent procedures, which are furthermore
still in full development. Combining the findings from scientific literature was realised
with the assistance of Abacus International ® . And thanks to the support of a number of
clinicians, the study could be specifically focussed on the techniques currently used in
Belgium. We would like to thank them greatly for this.
Jean Pierre CLOSON Raf MERTENS
Deputy General Manager General Manager