43627
document
Randomized clinical trial of radiofrequency ablation or conventional high ligation and stripping for great saphenous varicose veins . BACKGROUND This randomized clinical trial compared early outcomes after radiofrequency ablation ( RFA ) and conventional surgery for varicose veins . METHODS Consecutive patients with symptomatic varicose veins due to isolated great saphenous vein ( GSV ) incompetence and suitable for RFA were randomized to either RFA or conventional surgery ( saphenofemoral disconnection and stripping ) . Clinical , radiological and patient-based outcomes were recorded at 1 and 5 weeks after intervention . RESULTS RFA resulted in successful obliteration of the GSV in all 47 patients . Complete above-knee stripping was unsuccessful in seven of 41 patients . RFA took longer than conventional surgery : median interquartile range 76 ( 67-84 ) versus 48 ( 39-54 ) min ; P < 0.001 . Patients returned to their normal activities significantly earlier after RFA ( median 3 ( 2-5 ) versus 12.5 ( 4-21 ) days ; P < 0.001 ) . Postoperative pain was significantly less after RFA ( median score on visual analogue scale 1.70 ( 0.50-4.30 ) versus 4.0 ( 2.35-6.05 ) ; P = 0.001 ) . Patient satisfaction , quality of life improvement and analgesic requirements significantly favoured RFA . CONCLUSION RFA took longer to perform but resulted in a significantly better early outcome than conventional surgery in suitable patients with great saphenous varicose veins .
43628
Intervention_Physical
radiofrequency ablation
43629
Intervention_Surgical
conventional high ligation
43630
Intervention_Physical
radiofrequency ablation ( RFA )
43631
Intervention_Physical
RFA
43632
Intervention_Physical
RFA
43633
Intervention_Physical
RFA
43634
Intervention_Physical
RFA
43635
Intervention_Physical
RFA
43636
Outcome_Physical
patient-based outcomes
43637
Outcome_Physical
Complete above-knee stripping
43638
Outcome_Physical
returned to their normal activities
43639
Outcome_Pain
Postoperative pain
43640
Outcome_Other
Patient satisfaction
43641
Outcome_Mental
quality of life improvement and
43642
Outcome_Other
analgesic requirements
43643
Participant_Condition
great saphenous varicose veins
43644
Participant_Condition
symptomatic varicose veins due to isolated great saphenous vein ( GSV ) incompetence
43645
Participant_Condition
47
43646
Participant_Sample-size
great saphenous varicose veins