Evaluation of the results of varicose vein surgery with radio frequency ablation and sclerotherapy in the same or separate sessions

Varicose veins are the most common vascular disease in humans. They are long, dilated, tortuous veins often seen on the lower legs. We aimed to compare the treatment of varicose veins by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and sclerotherapy in one session with two sessions with a two weeks interval. One hundred patients with varicose vein were randomly allocated to receive RFA and sclerotherapy in one session (Group A) or two sessions with a two weeks interval (Group B). Immediate and late postoperative complications such as ecchymosis, hematoma, infection, paresthesia, arterial injury, pain, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and hyperpigmentation, as well as satisfaction and cost effectiveness were compared between two methods. Group A were significantly more satisfied than group B (۹۰% vs. ۶۴%, p=۰.۰۱). Due to less hospitalization time, hospital costs of RFA and sclerotherapy in one session (group A) were significantly lower than RFA and sclerotherapy in two sessions (group B) (p <۰.۰۵). Therefore, RFA and sclerotherapy in one session was more cost effective. Two methods have high procedure success rate, but due to the lower complication rate and faster recovery period in patients receiving RFA and sclerotherapy in one session, it seems more acceptable treatment for varicose veins.