COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SURGICAL LIGATION AND STRIPPING VERSUS ULTRASOUND GUIDED FOAM SCLEROTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY VARICOSE VEINS

Background: Characterized by dilated, tortuous superficial veins, primary varicose veins represent a common and often debilitating chronic venous disorder. For decades, surgical ligation and stripping (SLS) has been considered the traditional gold standard for the definitive management of symptomatic primary varicose veins. In response to the desire for less invasive treatment modalities and driven by technological advancements, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) has emerged as a widely

adopted alternative for primary varicose veins.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted among 120 subjects which compared surgical stripping (n=60) versus ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (n=60) for primary varicose veins. Procedures were detailed. Outcomesincluding Venous Clinical Severity Score, recurrence, complications and satisfaction were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12 months. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:Both treatments improved VCSS scores, but the UGFS group had higher scores at day 7 (p=0.029). In the first week, surgical patients had increased discomfort. After one month, UGFS reported increased pain ratings. The two groups' mean varicosity assessments did not alter much after treatment. VDS scores improved considerably for the UGFS group at 7 days. At 1- and 3-month follow-ups, the surgical group had higher VDS scores. The surgical group had higher seventh-day problems such discomfort, bruising, stitch infection, seroma, and hematoma.

Conclusion:Foam sclerotherapy has emerged as a safe, promising, and dependable treatment for varicose veins, characterized by convenience of administration, no need for hospital admission, absence of anaesthetic risks, little disruption to daily activities, fast return to work, and comparable efficacy to surgical intervention.