A new multicentre randomised clinical trial has compared two different treatment methods for varicose veins.

The trial from the Department of Surgery and Cancer and published in JAMA Surgery, has compared two different treatment methods for varicose veins, mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) and cyanoacrylate adhesive (glue), to see which one causes less pain. 

The randomised study of 167 patients from the UK and Singapore found that the recorded pain scores was comparable between patients using both treatments and were generally low.

Follow-up data also found no significant difference between the groups regarding the pain experienced in the ten days postoperative, or their clinical and quality of life scores. The time to return to normal activities or work after treatment, as well as the ecchymosis score and occlusion rates, was also comparable. 

Speaking about the trial results, first author Amjad Belramman said: “The results of the study will help inform future patients and clinicians that there are minimal differences between using either varicose veins treatment.”

Pain Outcomes Following Mechanochemical Ablation vs Cyanoacrylate Adhesive for the Treatment of Primary Truncal Saphenous Vein Incompetence - The MOCCA Randomized Clinical Trial. 
Amjad Belramman; Roshan Bootun; Tjun Yip Tang; Tristan R. A. Lane; Alun H. Davies. AMA Surg. Published online April 6, 2022. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2022.0298