Comparative study of cryostripping and endovenous laser therapy for varicose veins: Mid-term results

Abstract

Background: Conventional stripping is considered to be the standard procedure for great saphenous vein (GSV)varicosities, but many other alternative treatments such as cryostripping, endovenous laser therapy (EVLT), radiofrequencyablation, and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy have been developed. Among them, both cryostrippingand laser therapy have been reported to be less traumatic, with lower rates of complications and recurrenceswhen compared to conventional stripping. To compare the efficacy of these treatments, we have analyzed and compared the mid-term clinical outcomes of cryostripping and EVLT. Methods: Patients diagnosed with varicoseveins of the GSV and treated with cryostripping or laser therapy between September 2008 and April 2013 wereenrolled in this study. Duplex ultrasonography was used for the diagnosis and evaluation of varicosity and reflux,and the clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology classification was used to measure the clinical severity. The symptoms,Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), recurrence rates, and complication rates of the cryostripping and lasertherapy groups were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 68 patients were enrolled in this study. 32 patients were treated with cryostripping, and 36 patients were treated with laser therapy. The median follow-up periodwas 29.6 months. Recurrence was noted in three patients from the cryostripping group and in two patientsfrom the EVLT group. There was no difference in the VCSS score, operative time, duration of hospital stay, andcomplication rate between the cryostripping group and the EVLT group. Conclusion: The mid-term clinical outcomesof cryostripping were not inferior to those of EVLT. Further, considering its cost-effectiveness, cryostripping seemsto be a safe and feasible method for the treatment of varicose veins. © The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2015.