Five-year results of a randomized clinical trial comparing endovenous laser ablation with cryostripping for great saphenous varicose veins

Background: This was the long‐term follow‐up of a previously reported randomized clinical trial comparing endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) with cryostripping for great saphenous varicose veins. Methods: A total of 120 patients with great saphenous varicose veins were randomized 1:1 to EVLA or cryostripping. Principal outcome measures were freedom from incompetence or neovascularization on duplex imaging, and improvement in Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Severity Score (AVVSS) 5 years after treatment. Results: Life‐table analysis showed freedom from duplex‐derived incompetence and neovascularization at 5 years in 62 (95 per cent confidence interval 50 to 76) per cent after EVLA and in 51 (39 to 66) per cent after cryostripping (P = 0·246). Neovascularization was more common after cryostripping, but incompetent tributaries were more common after EVLA. VCSS and AVVSS values improved significantly after treatment in both groups, and were maintained for 5 years, but with no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: In this study, no significant difference was demonstrated in late outcome after EVLA or cryostripping in patients with great saphenous varicose veins. Registration number: ISRCTN33832691 (http://www.controlled‐trials.com). Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. No difference