Ultrasound-assisted varicose vein surgery and endovenous laser ablation using 1470-nm laser for treatment of great saphenous vein incompetence has similar outcomes at 1 year in a single-center prospective randomized study.

Background: Technical errors are the most common preventable cause of recurrence after high ligation and stripping procedures for the treatment of great saphenous vein incompetence. Ultrasound-assisted varicose vein surgery (UAVS) uses intraoperative ultrasound during high ligation and stripping to minimize such failures, although no data have been reported regarding its use during open surgery. The present study compared the short-term outcomes of UAVS and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) with a 1470-nm laser.