Randomised controlled trial of standard EndoVenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) versus standard EVLA with below-knee foam sclerotherapy versus above and below-knee EVLA for varicose veins

ISRCTN ISRCTN31316759
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN31316759
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
05/07/2007
Registration date
26/07/2007
Last edited
05/05/2011
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Mr Nadarajah Theivacumar
Scientific

Leeds Vascular Institute
Leeds General Infirmary
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)7940 774550
Email nadacumar@yahoo.co.uk

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial (not blinded)
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Scientific title
Study acronymLeeds EVLA technique trial
Study objectivesModified techniques reduces requirement of delayed foam sclerotherapy and provides better clinical outcome.
Ethics approval(s)Leeds (West) research ethics committee, at Leeds General Infirmary on 21/09/2005 (ref: 05/Q1205/187)
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedVaricose veins
InterventionTwo modified techniques are compared with standard EVLA technique:
Group A: the standard practice of EVLA (laser ablation of above-knee Great Saphenous Vein [GSV]) considered as control
Group B: modification 1 - where GSV was ablated (EVLA) both above and below knee
Group C: modification 2 - where above knee GSV was ablated by EVLA and below knee GSV was chemically ablated using foam sclerotherapy at the same time

Group 1 - standard EVLA alone:
This uses an 810 nm bare-tipped, pulsed laser (Diomed Inc.) at a power of 12 watts. The standard technique for EVLA will be used employing a laser density of 5 pulse/cm. Delayed foam sclerotherapy up to 5 ml of 0.2-1% STD was used as required at the follow up clinic visit/s.

Group 2 - standard EVLA and on table foam sclerotherapy:
The same EVLA technique as for group 1 was used except that the GSV was cannulated below-knee (mid-calf) and a 70 cm sheath inserted. The GSV was ablated (EVLA) to the level of the knee joint following which 5 ml 1% STD (2 ml 1% STD, 3 ml air) will be injected into the below knee GSV via the sheath as it was withdrawn. Delayed foam sclerotherapy up to 5 ml of 0.2-1% STD was also be used as required at the follow up clinic visit/s.

Group 3 - above and below-knee EVLA:
The GSV was canulated below-knee (mid-calf) and the whole length of the GSV ablated using the standard EVLA technique. Delayed foam sclerotherapy up to 5 ml of 0.2-1% STD was also used as required at the follow up clinic visit/s.

Following this primary treatment patients were followed up at 1, 6, and 12 weeks and following data were obtained at each visit:
1. At 1 week:
1.1. Daily Visual Analogue Score for pain
1.2. Analgesia diary
1.3. Time to normal activity - time to return to work
1.4. Assessment of post-treatment complications
1.5. Duplex assessment of GSV and deep veins for evidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
2. At 6 weeks:
2.1. Outstanding data from week 1
2.2. Aberdeen Vein Questionnaire (disease-specific quality of life measure)***
2.3. Late complications
2.4. Time of return to work if greater than 1 week
2.5. Injection sclerotherapy as required in all patients
2.6. Duplex assessment of GSV
3. At 12 weeks:
3.1. Any outstanding data (as above)
3.2. Duplex Ultrasound Assessment
3.3. Aberdeen Vein Questionnaire (disease-specific quality of life measure)***
3.4. EuroQol questionnaire
3.5. Patient satisfaction
3.6. Number of sessions of injection Sclerotherapy as required***
3.7. Duplex assessment

*** = Primary endpoint measurements
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureSclerotherapy requirement at follow up: disease specific quality of life improvement measured by Aberdeen varicose vein severity score.
Secondary outcome measures1. Post-procedure pain: patient analgesia diary
2. Cosmesis: as scored by the patient
3. Complication rates: wound infection, haematoma, nerve injury, DVT
4. Patient satisfaction
Overall study start date10/11/2005
Completion date15/05/2007

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupNot Specified
SexNot Specified
Target number of participants69 participants
Key inclusion criteriaPatients with primary varicose veins in the leg due to isolated incompetent sapheno-femoral junction and great saphenous vein reflux both above and below knee segments.
Key exclusion criteria1. Recurrent varicose veins
2. Patients with reflux in other axial veins
3. Patients with varicose veins only in thigh
4. Patients who has no reflux in below-knee segment of great saphenous vein
Date of first enrolment10/11/2005
Date of final enrolment15/05/2007

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Leeds Vascular Institute
Leeds
LS1 3EX
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Leeds General Infirmary (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

c/o Mr M.J. Gough
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)113 392 2823
Email michael.gough@leedsth.nhs.uk
Website http://www.leedsteachinghospitals.com/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04hrjej96

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Leeds Vascular Institute (UK) - Research Fund

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/07/2008 Yes No