Long saphenous vein stripping and quality of life--a randomised trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality of life of patients undergoing sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ) ligation and long saphenous vein stripping (LSV), using two different techniques.


METHODS
Prospective, randomised trial.


METHODS
Eighty patients were recruited and randomised to either Perforate Invagination (PIN) stripping (43) or Conventional stripping (37). Patients completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and EuroQol (EQ) questionnaires preoperatively, and postoperatively at 6 weeks and 6 months.


RESULTS
Bodily pain, role function and physical summary were significantly improved at 6 months in the PIN stripping group. In the Conventional group, bodily pain and physical function were similarly improved, but not role function. EQ global quality of life was significantly and progressively improved at 6 weeks and 6 months in the PIN group (global score p<0.003; self-rated score p <0.001). In the Conventional group there was no overall improvement in global score or self-rated health.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary varicose vein surgery is associated with significant and progressive improvements in quality of life scores. Whilst overall quality of health does improve in the Conventional group, this appears to be to a lesser extent than in the PIN group.
Durkin
M T
MT
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK.
Turton
E P
EP
Wijesinghe
L D
LD
Scott
D J
DJ
Berridge
D C
DC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods