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A Comparison between Cryosurgery and Conventional Stripping in Varicose Vein Surgery: Perioperative Features and Complications

  • Clinical Research
  • Published:
Annals of Vascular Surgery

Abstract

Cryosurgery is a relatively new treatment option for vein stripping in case of insufficiency of the great saphenous vein (GSV). A prospective randomized trial was performed to compare operation time, extracted vein length, and postoperative outcomes of cryosurgery with conventional short stripping. Forty patients with one-sided, duplex-proven insufficiency of the GSV were included. Operation time was shorter with cryosurgery, 17.6 ± 1.11 vs. 20 ± 0.80 min. Extracted vein length was significantly longer with conventional stripping, 40 ± 1.45 vs. 28 ± 1.46 cm. After the operation, all symptoms of venous insufficiency decreased significantly in both groups. In the first 2 weeks after operation, pain scores were higher in the cryosurgery group, but the difference was only significant on the fifth postoperative day. Postoperative mobility, hematoma formation, and complications were not significantly different. Cryosurgery has comparable postoperative results with conventional short stripping. Operation time is reduced with cryosurgery, but postoperative pain scores are higher. Patients favor cryosurgery because of better cosmetic results.

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Acknowledgement

We thank T. M. Majoor for analysis of photographs with the image processing system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Ruben Schouten MD

  2. Department of General Surgery, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Ede, The Netherlands

    Roland M. Mollen MD, PhD & Han C. Kuijpers MD, PhD

  3. Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Ruben Schouten MD

Authors
  1. Ruben Schouten MD
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  2. Roland M. Mollen MD, PhD
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  3. Han C. Kuijpers MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Ruben Schouten MD.

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Schouten, R., Mollen, R.M. & Kuijpers, H.C. A Comparison between Cryosurgery and Conventional Stripping in Varicose Vein Surgery: Perioperative Features and Complications. Ann Vasc Surg 20, 306–311 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10016-006-9051-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10016-006-9051-x

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