Endovenous laser ablation with and without high ligation compared with high ligation and stripping in the treatment of great saphenous varicose veins: initial results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

To compare reflux recurrences at the saphenofemoral junction after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) with or without high ligation with high ligation and stripping (HL/ST) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in patients with varicosity of the GSV. Design Multicentre, randomized, three-arm, parallel trial. Material and Methods Patients with varicosity of the GSV were randomized to one of three groups: HL/ST, laser ablation (980 nm) or a combination of laser ablation with high ligation (EVLA/HL). Patients were examined clinically and by ultrasound pre- and postoperatively and after two months. The primary endpoint of this ongoing study is the inguinal venous reflux (IVR) in the proximal section of the GSV after two years. We present data after two months. Secondary endpoints include postoperative ecchymosis, pain or discomfort, saphenous syndrome. Groups were compared by chi-squared test.

RESULTS

A total of 449 patients were randomized; mean age 48 years and 71.2% were women. Postoperative ecchymosis developed among 69.2% in the HL/ST group, in 50.4% of the EVLA group and in 50.3% of the EVLA/HL group (P = 0.0007). Postoperative pain after one day occurred in 32.7% in the HL/ST group. Discomfort occurred after surgery in 37.3% in the EVLA group, and in 50.0% in the EVLA/HL group (P = 0.0069). Early postoperative nervus saphenous syndrome developed in 0.6% in the HL/ST group, in 3.7% in the EVLA group and in 6.1% in the EVLA/HL group (P = 0.0341). After two months, IVR persisted in 38 cases (8.5%) in the laser group, in 10 (2.2%) in the EVLA/HL group and none in the HL/ST group (P = 0.6800).

CONCLUSIONS

After two months IVR was more often seen in both EVLA groups compared with the HL/ST group. There were significantly more postoperative ecchymosis in the HL/ST. Postoperative pain occurred significantly more often in the EVLA/HL group. Peri- and postoperative data showed significant differences between the three groups. For definitive results concerning the primary endpoint of IVR the later follow-up has to be waited for.