Randomized clinical trial of different bandage regimens after foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins

Background: This trial compared outcomes after foam sclerotherapy in patients wearing compression bandaging for 24 h or 5 days after treatment. Methods: Consecutive patients with primary uncomplicated varicose veins were randomized after foam sclerotherapy treatment. The primary endpoint was 6-week Aberdeen Varicose Vein Severity Score (AVVSS) and Burford pain score. Results: Some 124 legs were randomized, 61 to 24 h and 63 to 5 days of bandaging. Target vein occlusion rates at 6-week duplex imaging were 90 and 89 per cent respectively (P = 0·842). There was no significant difference in phlebitis after 2 weeks (P = 0·445) or skin discoloration after 6 weeks (46 versus 40 per cent; P = 0·546). There was no significant difference in the change in AVVSS from baseline to 2 weeks (−0·29 versus −0·80; P = 0·717) or to 6 weeks (−5·89 versus −5·14; 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) for the difference −3·29 to 1·80; P = 0·563), or in change in Burford pain score from baseline to 2 weeks (−9·04 versus −2·80; P = 0·248) or to 6 weeks (−17·32 versus −8·46; 95 per cent c.i. for the difference −19·06 to 1·33; P = 0·088), or in change in Short Form 36 score from baseline to 6 weeks (2·02 versus 1·74; P = 0·903). Conclusion: There was no advantage to compression bandaging for more than 24 h when thromboembolus deterrent stockings were worn for the remainder of 14 days. Registration number: NCT00991497 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.