Non-randomized comparative study of three methods for great saphenous vein ablation associated with mini-phlebectomy; 48 months clinical and sonographic outcome.

Background: Varicose veins are one of the earliest clinical features of superficial venous insufficiency (SVI) of the lower limbs that affects around 20-40% of the population with a lot of burden on patients' quality of life (QoL) and health systems if left untreated. They are defined as subcutaneous veins in the lower extremities which are dilated to ≥3 mm in diameter in the upright position and retrograde flow of >0.5 s in duration.