Endovenous Laser Treatment for Short Saphenous Varicose Veins
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Long term follow-up and recurrence rates in endovascular laser treatment for short saphenous varicose veins.
IRAS ID
153554
Contact name
P F Mason
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust
Research summary
Minimally invasive ways of treating varicose veins such as Endovenous laser Therapy (EVLT) are becoming increasingly popular in comparison to traditional "open surgery" such as vein stripping. This is due to reports of fewer complications, shorter hospital stay, quicker return to activities and less requirements for a general anaesthetic.
A Cochrane group review looked at all the published trials and follow up data and concluded that recurrence rates with minimally invasive techniques and need for additional treatments were the same as traditional open surgery. This has led to NICE supporting the routine use of EVLT in the treatment of varicose veins of the long saphenous vein.
The success of EVLT in treating varicose veins of the short saphenous vein is less clear.
Using our extensive experience of EVLT in both long and short saphenous veins, we aim to assess the effectiveness and safety of EVLT on varicose veins of the short saphenous vein. The success of the treatment will be judged by confirming the absence of short saphenous varicose veins on a duplex ultrasound scan. When patients attend for this scan they will also complete a questionnaire inquiring about any complications they experienced following the EVLT and how long it took them to return to their normal levels of activity following treatment.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1037
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion