The study was performed according to the study's algorithm ( Figure 1). Two patients from the MLD group and 8 from the control group were lost to follow-up and excluded from the study. In order to randomize a pa-tient's choice of one of the remaining envelopes, open envelopes were discarded. The randomization was conducted using 40 sealed envelopes which directed patients to the MLD group and 40 envelopes that directed patients to the control group. The study included 80 patients aged from 25 to 65, 70 women (average age 50 years) and 10 men (average age 49 years) with CVD stage CEAP C2 or C3, who were randomly divided into two groups: the MLD group ( n = 38) and the control group ( n = 32). Exclusion criteria: not willing to undergo surgery, incompetence of deep venous system described as a reflux longer than 0.5 s, chronic lower limb ischemia defined as a lack of distal pulses or signs of ambulatory claudication Fontaine grade II to IV, skin infection, severe comorbidities described as ASA grade III to V, presence of neoplastic disease, lymphangitis, heart failure and renal failure. Inclusion criteria were CEAP stage C2 and C3, patient willing to undergo elective stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV), and consent for the study.

The study was conducted in the Eskulap Phlebology Centre in Bydgoszcz.

The study included 216 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CVD, qualified for elective surgery and compression therapy for this reason.

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