Background: Varicose veins are among the commonest conditions encountered in daily vascular surgery practice. Endovascular laser ablation was introduced for its management wit an aim to reduce associated complications and recurrence of conventional surgery.
Aim of the work: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovenous laser ablation techniques versus conventional stripping surgery techniques as a method of treatment of primary lower limb varicose veins.
Patients and Methods: Forty patients were included, 20 for each group [conventional surgery and laser ablation]. All were assessed preoperatively; and preoperative, operative and post-operative data were documented. All patients were followed up for at least eight months.
Results: The majority of patients were in their forties with female sex predilection. Both groups were comparable regarding patient demographics, clinical presentation, CEAP Classification, clinical signs and preoperative duplex characteristics. Operative time was significantly shorter among laser than the surgery group [41.3±5.8 vs 71.8±11.5 min respectively]. Additionally, patients in laser group stayed for shorter durations in the hospital after intervention and returned earlier to their normal activity. Pain was significantly lower among the laser group [45%] than the surgery group [75%]. Recurrence was similar in both groups.
Conclusion: Endovascular laser ablation is superior to conventional stripping Surgery for the management of Primary Lower Limb Varicose Veins.