Comparative clinical efficacy between bandage pressure therapy and elastic stocking treatment after endovenous radiofrequency ablation

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of two postoperative compression methods at 48 h after endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the great saphenous vein on complications, quality of life, return-to-work time, and patient satisfaction.MethodsIn this prospective, single-center randomized controlled trial, 210 patients with duplex ultrasound-confirmed great saphenous vein incompetence (C2-C5) underwent RFA and were randomized to receive either elastic stockings (study group) or multilayer bandage compression (control group) for 48 h postoperatively. Primary outcomes included postoperative complications assessed at 2 h, 1 day, 2 days, 7 days, and 1 month. Secondary outcomes included pain (VAS), quality of life (CIVIQ-14), venous clinical severity score (VCSS), satisfaction (10-point scale), and time to return to normal work. Follow-up rates were 98% at 7 days and 96% at 1 month.ResultsMinor but statistically significant differences were observed in complications such as pain, ecchymosis, edema, and itching between groups. The study group returned to work sooner (2.11 ± 1.19 days) than the control group (4.39 ± 2.55 days, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Patient satisfaction at 1 month and changes in CIVIQ-14 and VCSS scores showed no significant between-group differences.ConclusionElastic stockings worn for 48 h after RFA provided certain advantages over multilayer bandage compression, particularly in reducing early postoperative complications and shortening time to return to work.