PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL COMPARING SEQUENTIAL AVULSION WITH STRIPPING OF THE LONG SAPHENOUS-VEIN

Eighty patients with primary varicose veins of the long saphenous syst em were randomized to have the long saphenous vein removed either by s tripping to below the knee or by sequential avulsion, There was no dif ference between the two methods in the time taken to remove the vein, There was significantly more pain after stripping during the week foll owing operation (P < 0.001). Median pain score after stripping was 5, reducing to 3 at 1 week, compared with 2, reducing to 1, for sequentia l avulsion. Median area of bruising measured at 1 week was 160 (range 0-1800) cm(2) for stripping and 56 (range 0-544) cm(2) for sequential avulsion (P < 0.01). Sequential avulsion is less painful, reduces brui sing and avoids a significant scar below the knee.