Comparing endovascular laser, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, and conventional surgery for the treatment of small saphenous varicose veins

ISRCTN ISRCTN91735422
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91735422
Secondary identifying numbers 26141788A
Submission date
28/06/2010
Registration date
08/07/2010
Last edited
24/06/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Small saphenous varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins – usually blue or dark purple – that are found on the legs. The aim of this study is to compare three treatments for small saphenous varicose veins: endovenous laser treatment, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, and conventional surgery. Endovenous laser treatment involves having a catheter inserted into the affected vein; a tiny laser is passed through the catheter that delivers short bursts of energy to heat up the vein and seal it closed. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy involves injecting special foam into the affected vein, which scars the vein and seals it closed.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18-75 with varicose veins

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to be treated with either endovenous laser treatment, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, or conventional surgical removal of the short saphenous vein. Participants are followed up after 3 days, 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years to assess treatment effectiveness and recurrence of the varicose veins.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration

Where is the study run from?
Åreknudeklinikken (Denmark)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2010 to September 2020

Who is funding the study?
Foundation of the National Health Security System (Fonden for faglig udvikling af speciallægepraksis) (Denmark)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Lars H. Rasmussen
lhr@varix.dk

Contact information

Dr Lars H. Rasmussen
Scientific

Nordre Kystagervej 28
Hviovre
2650
Denmark

Phone +45 40824418
Email lhr@varix.dk

Study information

Study designMulticentre three-arm randomised controlled parallel-group trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA three-arm, parallel group, randomised controlled trial of patients with small saphenous vein insufficiency treated with either endovascular laser, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, or conventional surgery
Study objectivesSuccessful treatment of small saphenous varicose veins using laser, foam or surgery is equally possible, and will give a successful removal of insufficiency in 90% of patients treated.
Ethics approval(s)The local Danish ethics committee approved in April 2010
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedSmall Saphenous vein varicose veins
Intervention330 patients will be randomised to receive either:
1. Endovenous laser destruction of the short saphenous vein
2. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy of the short saphenous vein
3. Conventional surgical removal of the short saphenous vein

Follow up after 3 days, 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years thereafter.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measureAmended as of 12/11/2010 to following:
1. Efficacy
2. Recurrent varicose veins

Initial information at time of registration:
1. Interruption of sensitivity and motor skills
2. Reflux equivalent to the inlet of Parva, more than 1,5cm from the inlet and distally equivalent to the treated part of Parva
3. Reflux equivalent to new vessels/perforants in the fossa poplitea
4. New varicose veins
5. Return to normal activities
6. Return to work
7. Use of pain tablets
8. Pain score (analogue scale 0-10), daily for the first 10 days
9. Additional venous treatments on the treated leg
Secondary outcome measuresAmended as of 12/11/2010 to following:
1. Interruption of sensitivity and motor skills
2. Reflux equivalent to the inlet of Parva, more than 1.5 cm from the inlet and distally equivalent to the treated part of Parva
3. Reflux equivalent to new vessels/perforants in the fossa poplitea
4. New varicose veins
5. Return to normal activities
6. Return to work
7. Use of pain tablets
8. Pain score (analogue scale 0 - 10), daily for the first 10 days
9. Additional venous treatments on the treated leg

Initial information at time of registration:
1. Intervention time from "skin to skin"
2. Number of phlebectomies
3. Small saphenous vein diameter 5 cm distal from the saphenopopliteal inlet
4. Aberdeen varicose veins symptoms severity score (AVVSS)
5. SF - 36 quality of life questionnaire
6. Venous severity score
7. Venous procedures on the treated leg
Overall study start date01/09/2010
Completion date01/09/2020

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit75 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants330
Key inclusion criteria1. Age: 18-75
2. Informed approval
3. Varicose veins with symptoms, and reflux in Small Saphenous Vein defined as 0,5 seconds reflux after manual compression of the calf while standing
4. Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic and Pathophysiologic (CEAP) classification C2-C4
5. Bilateral treatment is allowed when the same treatment is given to both legs during the same intervention
Key exclusion criteria1. Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) of the leg
2. Insufficient popliteal perforants
3. Previous varicose surgery in the popliteal area
4. Age under 18
5. Contradictions against use of Aethoxysklerol®
6. Great saphenous vein insuffienciency at the same time or surgery for Great Saphenous vein insufficiency < 3 months previously
7. History or foot-pulse indicating arterial insufficiency or/and ankle/arm index <0.9
8. Convoluted or disrupted Parva, that will make it inappropriate for the treatments
9. Other anatomical relations that will make surgery difficult
10. Pregnant or have given birth < 3 months previously
Date of first enrolment01/09/2010
Date of final enrolment01/09/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Denmark
  • Sweden

Study participating centre

Nordre Kystagervej 28
Hviovre
2650
Denmark

Sponsor information

Åreknudeklinikken (Denmark)
Hospital/treatment centre

Eskadronsvej 4A
Naestved
4700
Denmark

Email lhr@varix.dk

Funders

Funder type

Government

Foundation of the National Health Security System (Fonden for faglig udvikling af speciallægepraksis) (Denmark)

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

Editorial Notes

24/06/2016: Plain English summary added.