Radiofrequency ablation versus high ligation and stripping for the treatment of symptomatic great saphenous vein insufficiency: Short-term patient-reported outcomes

Objectives: The study aimed to compare short-term patient-reported outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus high ligation and stripping (HLS) in a cohort with symptomatic great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency. Patients and methods: This was a single-institution, retrospective, observational, cohort study of prospectively collected data. All procedures were performed between January 2019 and February 2021. Ninety-seven patients (54 females, 43 males; mean age: 45.2±11.1 years; range, 18 to 76 years) with lower limb chronic venous disease symptoms refractory to exercise, compression stockings, and pharmacotherapy underwent RFA (n=60) or HLS (n=37). Self-reported pain assessment was performed on the first postoperative day using the numeric rating scale, and duration of return to daily activities was questioned on the 30th postoperative day. Results: Patients in the RFA group reported significantly less pain compared to patients in the HLS group with median numeric rating scale scores of 1.5 (0-4) versus 4 (2-5), respectively (p<0.001). The RFA group returned to their daily routine significantly sooner compared to the HLS group (1 [1-1] versus 1.5 [1-4] days, respectively; p=0.004). Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation is associated with significantly less postoperative pain and earlier return to daily activities compared to HLS in patients with symptomatic GSV insufficiency.