A Comparative Study to Evaluate Early Postoperative Complications and Short-Term Quality of Life Assessment Between Stripping and Endovenous Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency Patients: A Study From North India

Abstract

Introduction: Most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is Great saphenous vein (GSV)followed by short saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency. Various modalities for the treatment of CVI areEndovenous thermal (by laser or radiofrequency) ablation, Foam sclerotherapy and Ligation and strippingof GSV.Endovenous thermal therapy is costly for the patients residing in the developing country. Herewith wehave compared quality of life and early complications between ligation and stripping (L & S) of GSV andEndovenous laser therapy (EVLT).Method: Patients of CVI were diagnosed clinically and radiologically by duplex doppler USG. Fifteenpatients in group 1(L & S) and 22 patients in Group 2 (EVLT) were followed at the 6 weeks, 3 months and6 months.Early post procedural outcomes were documented at one week. Generic health was assessed by SF 36tools and Specific health was assessed by Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaires (AVVQ) at baseline(preprocedural), at 6 weeks,3 months and at 6 months.Results: Postoperative pain in group 1 and group 2 patients were in 20.0% and 04.5% patientsrespectively(p>0.05). Paresthesia was in 26.7% and 9.1% respectively (p >0.05). Skin hyperpigmentationwas 00.00% and 4.5% respectively (p 0.403). In both groups, infection was found in 20.0% and 04.5%respectively (p 0.137). Tract haematoma along GSV was in 13.3% and 0.00% respectively in both groups.Physical function, role limitation due to physical problems and emotional problems, emotional well-being,social function, pain, general health at end of 6 weeks and at end of 6 months were slightly better in EVLTpatients but was insignificant (p >0.05). DVT and recurrence were absent in both groups.Conclusion: Regarding treatment of CVI, Early post-operative complications, Short term General anddisease specific QoL is slightly better in patients having EVLT than L & S, but is statistically insignificant.