The historical course of varicose vein surgery in the Persian medicine
Historical review published in Acta Chir Belg (2023)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dawali (varicose veins) is the disease of chronic dilation of veins. The veins of the legs become dilated and blue due to excessive accumulation of blood. This disease and the effort to identify and treat it has a very long history. The condition may have first been described in the Ebers Papyrus more than 3500 years ago. The present study deals with the turning points and progress of varicose vein surgery since ancient times, emphasizing the innovations of the scholars of the Islamic period. METHODS: The present study is based on searching library documents and database data such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and search engines such as Google Scholar. In the end, the Prisma flow chart was drawn. RESULTS: Besides diagnosing different varicose veins (legs, thighs, abdomen, uterus, and testes), the scholars of the Islamic period were well-versed in their prevention, etiology, and treatment. In treating varicose veins, these physicians used methods such as cleansing, phlebotomy, compression, leech therapy, and surgery, and some of them were the founders of new treatments. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of varicose veins in the past was similar to modern surgical therapies. What distinguishes yesterday's varicose vein surgery from today's surgery is a more advanced tool. There is no denying the remarkable progress in using health principles, treatment techniques, and surgical instruments to facilitate surgery and reduce the disease's complications and recurrence. However, the treatment framework and foundation, such as phlebectomy and compression, were all invented and introduced in the distant past.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Historical review traces the description and treatment of varicose veins from the Ebers Papyrus (~3500 years ago) through Persian medicine, including bloodletting and leech application as traditional therapies for venous disorders.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Esta revisión traza la historia de la cirugía de las venas varicosas desde las descripciones antiguas (incluido el Papiro de Ebers) hasta el período medieval islámico, señalando que los eruditos de esa época empleaban múltiples enfoques terapéuticos, incluyendo la limpieza, la flebotomía, la compresión, la terapia con sanguijuelas y la cirugía para las venas varicosas. La terapia con sanguijuelas se menciona como una de varias modalidades históricas. El artículo tiene relevancia indirecta con el ámbito de la ASH, ya que documenta el uso histórico de las sanguijuelas para afecciones vasculares, pero el resumen no aporta detalles sobre la terapia con sanguijuelas específicamente — no se describen protocolos, resultados, especies ni frecuencia de uso. El enfoque principal de la revisión es la evolución de las técnicas quirúrgicas para las venas varicosas, y la terapia con sanguijuelas constituye una mención periférica sin datos originales.
Citación
The historical course of varicose vein surgery in the Persian medicine.
Asadi MH et al. · Acta chirurgica Belgica, 2023
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026