In iz controlled clinical investigation 516 patients with previously untreated saphenous varices were divided into three treatment groups according to a stratiJied group comparative design. The patients in treatment group I underwent a radical operation under full anaesthesia; the patient5 in group 2 were treated by means of rninor operations followed by injectionlcompression therapy; the patients in group 3 were treated by means of injectionlcompression therapy alone. The results were evaluated both objecticely and subjectively 3 months and 3 years after treatment, the follow-up being I00 per cent and 98. I per cent complete at those times. With regard to the period of disability among those patieiits with jobs outside the home (63.8 per cent), there was a stutistically signifcant diflerence between the three groups, the median period oj disability being 14.2, 7 6 and 0 days respectively. In all three treatment groups the results were worse after 3 years than after 3 months, but the difference was significantly less following radical operation than after combined treatment, and significantly less following combined treatment thari after injectionlcompression therapy alone. The patients were randomized and treated by the author and the results oj treatment were evaluated by the author and partly controlled by another investigator.I t is concluded that the primary treatment for incompetence of the saphenous veins should be a radical operation.