Long saphenous vein stripping and quality of life - a randomised trial

Objectives: to assess the quality of life undergoing sapheno-femoral juncti on (SFJ) litigation and long saphenous vein stripping (LSV), using two diff erence techniques. Design: prospective, randomised trial. Materials and methods: eighty patients were recruited and randomised to eit her Perforate Invagination (PIN) stripping (43) of Conventional stripping ( 37). Patients completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and EuroQol (EQ) question naires preoperatively, and postoperatively at 6 weeks and 6 months. Results: bodily pain, role function and physical summary were significantly improved at 6 months in the PIN stripping group. In the Conventional group , bodily pain and physical function were similarly improved, but not role f unction. EQ global quality of life was significantly and progressively impr oved at 6 weeks and 6 months in the PIN group (global score p <0.003; self- rated score p <0.001). In the Conventional group there was no overall impro vement in global score of self-rated health. Conclusions: primary varicose vein surgery is associated with significant a nd progressive improvements in quality of life scores. Whilst overall quali ty of health does improve in the Conventional group, his appears to be a le sser extent than in the PIN group.