Background: The treatment of varicose (GSV) reduces the symptoms and the complications of venous 
insufficiency and increases the quality of life (2). Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and radiofrequency
ablation (RFA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) have been introduced as alternative and minimally invasive 
techniques for the treatment of truncal vein incompetence
Purpose: This prospective comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of endovenous 
treatment of symptomatic varicose veins using the endovenous Laser therapy (EVLT) or radiofrequency 
ablation (RFA) and to describe the complications and short term outcome of patients follow up.
Methods: This is a multicenter, non-randomized, non-blinded prospective comparative study, was conducted 
in both the Zagazig university hospital as well as Elhoussein university hospitals between June 2010 and June 
2012. The patients were divided into two groups; 60 patients in each group. The 1st group underwent 
endovenous Laser therapy while the 2nd group underwent endovenous radiofrequency ablation. Both 
procedures were performed under duplex scan guidance with foam sclerotherapy of incompetent perforators 
and superficial varicosities. The outcome of both groups was compared as regard pain and bruising and other 
complications, returning to normal activity, health related quality of life, and recurrence. Follow up will 
continue for at least 6 months. 
Results: The number of treated patients was 120 patients 60 in each group with mean age 29.2 ± 5.8 in the 1st
group (EVLT) and mean age 31.1 ± 8.5 in the 2nd group (RFA). There were 64 % females and 36 % males in 
the 1st group and there were 69% females and 31% males in the 2nd group. In the 1st group there were 68 
limbs (11 bilateral and 57 unilateral, 65 GSV disease and 3 limbs with both GSV and SSV), while in the 2nd 
group there were 65 limbs (12 bilateral and 53 unilateral, with GSV disease in 61 and 4 limb showing both 
GSV and SSV disease). The overall number of complications encountered in the 1st group (EVLT) was 41%, 
while the overall number of complications encountered in the 2nd group (RFA) was 24%. 6 months 
postoperative DUS follow-up the totally occluded (TO) till the SFJ was 65 limbs (95.5%) in 1st Group and 61 
limbs (93.8%) in 2nd Group. 40 Egyptian Journal of Surgery
Conclusion: Endovenous ablation in occluding incompetent GSV is a new effective and safe option in the 
treatment of varicose GSV.