The DVT rate including EHIT was similar in patients treated with RFA and EVLA and was low. Routine post-operative duplex ultrasound scanning is recommended until the significance of EHIT is better understood, in accordance with consensus guidelines. DVT rates for both techniques compare favourably with those published for saphenous vein stripping.

One in five women presenting with varicose veins have reflux of non-saphenous origin. This is the case in specialist and non-specialist units. One in six has associated pelvic vein reflux.

Despite these results representing our learning curve for the procedure, we found TRLOP to be an effective treatment for IPVs. The closure rates described are comparable with the published clinical series data for subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery.

Revascularization of the GSV strip track after stripping was found in 23 per cent of patients after 1 year; all of these had a postoperative haematoma in the track.

ISRCTN18288048 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).