Phlebectomies or foam sclerosis for treatment of the distal venous segment in the 3-S saphenectomy technique

The aim of this study was to compare the recurrent rates of varicose veins after treatment with two surgical techniques: 3-S saphenectomy and 3-S saphenectomy with distal sclerosis. 105 patients with trunk varicose veins were randomly assigned. The control group consisted of 51 patients who underwent the 3-S saphenectomy technique (the sapheno-femoral junction sclerosis with foam, saphenectomy and distal phlebectomies); test group: 3-S saphenectomy with distal sclerosis technique (the sapheno-femoral junction sclerosis with foam, saphenectomy and distal segment sclerosis). Overall recurrence: group I 35.3%, group II 57.4% (p < 0.001). Trunk recurrence: group I 17.7%, group II 38.9% (p = 0.028). Collateral recurrence: group I 9.8%, group II 11.1% (p = 1). Perforator vein recurrence: group I 5.9%, group II 5.6% (p = 1). Reticulated recurrence: group I 2%, group II 1.9% (p = 1). The substitution of Müller phlebectomy instead of foam sclerosis, is not a better treatment of the distal venous segment, and has a greater recurrence rate. The 3-S saphenectomy technique is the most suitable for the treatment for trunk varicose veins.