Superficial Venous Thrombophlebitis

Superficial thrombophlebitis offers an array of presentations. Yet despite the knowledge that has emerged over the past 20 years, the curricula in medical schools and residencies fail to acknowledge STP as anything more than a self-limiting disease. The gap in venous education in the USA leads many unknowing providers to prescribe a recipe for thrombus extension, based upon established yet inaccurate dogma associated with STP. Although clinical trials are emerging, there is far more to be learned about this topic. This chapter discusses the latest in peer-reviewed literature, enabling the reader to optimize outcomes through minimizing the risk of complications related to this common venous condition of the lower extremity.