Endovenous laser therapy for varicose veins

Abstract

This thesis describes the technique of endovenous laser ablation and the outcome of various series of patients with varicose veins due to reflux in the great saphenous vein, treated by endovenous laser ablation or cryostripping in a single-centre study. This study has shown clear advantages of endovenous laser treatment and cryostripping of varicose veins across a whole range of outcome measures relating to health status, quality of life and patient satisfaction. But from a patient’s prospective, EVLA is preferred to cryostripping because of its better cosmetic results, lower rates of postoperative morbidity, and lower rates of activity impairment. From a doctor’s prospective EVLA is preferred to cryostripping because of its shorter operative time, lower rates of complications, and lower recurrence rates up to 2 years. From a health service perspective, EVLA is preferred to cryostripping because the procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting using local anaesthesia, and is associated with greater patient satisfaction and lower costs of lost productivity.