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

Objective To 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. Methods In 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. Results Minor 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, p < 0.01). Patient satisfaction at 1 month and changes in CIVIQ-14 and VCSS scores showed no significant between-group differences. Conclusion Elastic 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.