Recovery and patient satisfaction following radiofrequency ablation and concomitant foam sclerotherapy of varicose veins with and without compression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

Background The benefits of postoperative compression are not well established following radiofrequency ablation of the truncal vein and concomitant foam sclerotherapy. Methods A total of 104 patients were randomized: Postoperatively, 54 patients received no compression and 50 patients received class II thigh-high compression. The primary outcome for this study was the difference between means on postoperative pain scores over the first 10 days follow-up measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 mm (prespecified delta 10 mm). Results The difference between means in no compression and compression group on postoperative pain scores over the 10 days follow-up was 2.1 mm (95% confidence interval −5.1–9.3 mm; p = 0.28) indicating non-inferiority. Patients in the no compression group were more satisfied with the visual appearance of the treated leg at 1 month ( p = 0.003). Conclusion Over the first 10 postoperative days, no compression was non-inferior to compression on pain scores.