title: Clinical outcomes and quality of life 5 years after a randomized trial of concomitant or sequential phlebectomy following endovenous laser ablation for varicose veins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a popular treatment for superficial venous insufficiency. Debate continues regarding the optimal management of symptomatic varicose tributaries following ablation of the main saphenous trunk. This randomized trial compared the 5-year outcomes of endovenous laser therapy with ambulatory phlebectomy (EVLTAP) with concomitant ambulatory phlebectomy, and EVLA alone with sequential treatment if required following a delay of at least 6 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing EVLA for great saphenous vein insufficiency were randomized to receive EVLTAP or EVLA alone with sequential phlebectomy, if required. Outcomes included disease-specific quality of life (QoL) (Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire; AVVQ), requirement for secondary procedures, clinical severity (Venous Clinical Severity Score; VCSS), residual and recurrent varicose tributaries, and generic QoL. Patients were followed up for 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients were randomized equally into two parallel groups. The EVLTAP group had lower VCSS scores at 12 weeks (median 0 (i.q.r. 0-1) versus 2 (0-2); P <0·001), and lower AVVQ scores at 6 weeks (median 7·9 (i.q.r. 4·1-10·7) versus 13·5 (10·9-18·1); P < 0·001) and 12 weeks (2·0 (0·4-7·7) versus 9·6 (2·2-13·8); P = 0·015). VCSS and AVVQ scores were equivalent by 1 year, but only after 16 of 24 patients in the EVLA group, compared with one of 25 in the EVLTAP group (P < 0·001), had received a secondary intervention. From 1 to 5 years both groups had equivalent outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EVLA with either concomitant or sequential management of tributaries is acceptable treatment for symptomatic varicose veins, with both treatments achieving excellent results at 5 years. Concomitant treatment of varicosities is associated with optimal improvement in both clinical disease severity and QoL.
authors.affiliation: Academic Vascular Surgery Unit, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: El-Sheikha
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nandhra
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carradice
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chetter
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*