title: Five-year results of a randomized controlled trial comparing high ligation combined with endovenous laser ablation and stripping of the great saphenous vein.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report 5-year follow-up data of a randomized study comparing high ligation and stripping (HL + S) with high ligation and endovenous laser ablation (HL + EVLA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients were randomized. After 5 years, patient satisfaction with the overall result, CEAP-C class, VCSS, CIVIQ2 quality of life score, and recurrence rate were assessed (clinical examination and duplex ultrasound).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five-year follow-up rates were 83% HL + S and 68% HL + EVLA. Patient satisfaction with the overall result was rated good or very good by 88% after HL + S and 87% after HL + EVLA. There were significant improvements for both groups in CEAP-C class (HL + S 2.28 vs. 1.19; HL + EVLA 2.3 vs. 1.17), VCSS (HL + S 4.79 vs. 1.81; HL + EVLA 4.13 vs. 1.87), and CIVIQ2 score (HL + S 82 vs. 94; HL + EVLA 75 vs. 93) (p < .001). There was no difference in recurrence rates on clinical examination and duplex ultrasound (HL + S 55% vs. HL + EVLA 40%; p = .217). A reopened or residual incompetent GSV-partial or complete-was found in 24% (HL + S) and 40% (HL + EVLA), respectively (p = .141).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Varicose vein surgery is followed by favorable clinical results and high patient satisfaction, with no difference between HL + S and HL + EVLA.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Surgery, BHS Hospital, Ried im Innkreis, Austria; †Department of Surgery, Elisabethinen Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria; ‡Department of Surgery, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Grieskirchen, Austria.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalteis
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adelsgruber
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Messie-Werndl
authors.forename: Odo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gangl
authors.forename: Irmgard
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*