Compression Therapy Versus Surgery in the Treatment of Patients With Varicose Veins: A RCT

Objective Superficial venous reflux and varicose veins are common. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess effectiveness of compression therapy compared with surgery for superficial venous reflux. Methods 153 patients with CEAP class C2–C3 and superficial venous reflux were randomized to receive either conservative treatment (compression stockings) ( n  = 77) or surgery ( n  = 76). Clinical examination including duplex ultrasound (DUS) was performed at entry and 1 and 2 years after randomization (compression group) or surgery (surgery group). Venous Clinical Severity Score without compression stockings (VCSS-S), Venous Segmental Disease Score (VSDS), Venous Disability Score (VDS), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed at entry and at the follow-ups. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis and according to the actual treatment performed. Results At 2 years, 70/76 patients in the surgery group and 11/77 patients in the compression group had been operated on. VCSS-S decreased from 4.6 to 3.5 in the compression group ( p p p Conclusion The surgical elimination of non-complicated superficial venous reflux is an effective treatment when compared with providing compression stockings only.