Venous Clinical Severity Score as a Tool to Assess the Outcome of Endovenous Laser Ablation for Varicose Veins

Objectives The Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) is a structured and reliable tool used to assess the severity and monitor the progression of chronic venous disease over time. Owing to its ability to objectively quantify clinical changes, it serves as a valuable measure for evaluating treatment outcomes. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in the treatment of primary varicose veins using VCSS to objectively evaluate clinical improvement and symptomatic relief. Material and Methods This prospective observational study included patients diagnosed with primary symptomatic varicose veins who underwent EVLA. The VCSS was recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure. Changes in individual VCSS domains and total scores were analysed to evaluate symptom resolution and overall treatment efficacy. To determine statistical significance across repeated measures, the Friedman test was applied. Results There was a significant reduction in VCSS scores across all post-treatment time points ( p <0.0001), indicating consistent symptomatic improvement. Pain, inflammation, and oedema showed early resolution, often within the first month. Varicosities and skin changes improved progressively over 6 months. Over 90% of patients demonstrated clinical response based on VCSS improvement criteria. Conclusion The VCSS provides a dependable and sensitive measure for evaluating clinical outcomes after EVLA. It effectively captures symptomatic changes over time and supports the role of EVLA as a minimally invasive and efficacious treatment for primary varicose veins. Routine use of VCSS in clinical practice may aid in monitoring recovery and guiding individualised patient care.