Endovenous ablation of incompetent truncal veins and their perforators with a new radiofrequency system. Mid-term outcomes

One-year duplex ultrasound-assessed closure outcomes of percutaneous endovenous microwave ablation for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of a new device using microwave technology for the endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein (GSV) causing symptomatic lower limb varicose veins (LLVV).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, single-arm, single-center, cohort study investigated the safety and effectiveness of endovenous microwave ablation for the treatment of symptomatic LLVV. Enrollment period was set between January and December 2020. Primary safety endpoint was the occurrence of procedure-related complications and primary efficacy endpoint was anatomical success defined as the duplex ultrasound (DUS)-proven GSV occlusion at 1 year follow-up. Secondary endpoints included 1-year clinical success (CEAP classification improvement), repeat procedures rate due to GSV recanalization, and pain assessment at 24 h post treatment.

RESULTS

In total, 50 patients (42 female; mean age: 62 ± 12 years) with 64 limbs were treated. No procedure-related complications were noted. Technical success was 95.3% (61/64 GSVs), as three cases of GSV recanalization were detected. Clinical success was 100%, as in all cases symptoms improvement by at least one grade according to CEAP classification, was achieved. Mean CEAP grade significantly improved from 3.3 ± 0.72 (median: 3) at baseline to 1.8 ± 0.85 (median: 2) at 1-year (p < 0.0001). There were no repeat procedures due to GSC recanalization. The median 24-h VAS value was 2 (mean: 1.9 ± 1.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovenous microwave ablation was safe and effective for the treatment of varicose veins, achieving high 1-year GSV occlusion rates.

Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein; does the choice of monopolar or bipolar catheters affect outcomes?

OBJECTIVES

Radiofrequency-based procedure is one of the leading methods of endovenous thermal ablation. The most fundamental difference with regards to currently available radiofrequency ablation systems is the way of electric current flow given to the vein wall; bipolar segmental and monopolar ablation. This study aimed to compare the monopolar ablation method with conventional bipolar segmental endovenous radiofrequency ablation method for the management of incompetent saphenous veins.

METHODS

Between November 2019 and November 2021, 121 patients with incompetent varicose veins who were treated either with the F-Care/monopolar (N = 49) or ClosureFast/bipolar (N = 72) were included in the study. A single extremity of each patient with isolated great saphenous vein insufficiency was enrolled. The differences between the two groups in demographic parameters, disease severity, treated veins, peri- and postoperative complications, and treatment efficacy indicators were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding demographic parameters, disease severity, and treated veins in preoperative period (p > 0,05). The average procedural time was 21.4 ± 4 minutes in the monopolar group, while it was 17.1 ± 3 minutes in the bipolar group. In both groups, the venous clinical severity scores declined significantly compared with the preoperative period, however; there was no difference between groups (p > 0,05). The occlusion rate of the saphenofemoral junction and proximal saphenous vein after 1 year was 94.1% in the bipolar group and 91.8% in the monopolar group (p = 0.4) while there was a significant difference in the occlusion rate of the shaft and distal part of the saphenous vein (93.2% in the bipolar group and 80.4% in the monopolar group, p = 0.04). Postoperative complications (bruising and skin pigmentation) were slightly higher in the bipolar group (p = 0.02, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Both systems are effective in treating the venous insufficiency of the lower extremity. Monopolar system revealed a better early postoperative course with similar occlusion rate of the proximal part of saphenous vein compared with bipolar system, however; the occlusion of the lower half of the saphenous vein was significantly lower which may negatively affect long-term occlusion rates and recurrence of the disease.

Anterior accessory great saphenous vein as a cause of postoperative recurrence of veins after radiofrequency ablation

There are problems of postoperative relapse of veins after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The study aims to analyze the causes of postoperative recurrence of veins after RFA. 928 patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities, clinical classes C₂-C₄ according to the CEAP classification, were treated in the ambulatory surgery centers using RFA. The causes of varicose recurrence showed that it was caused by: a) high fusion of the anterior accessory great saphenous vein (AAGSV) with great saphenous vein (GSV) directly in the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), which was not revealed by preoperative ultrasound (1.7%); a long stump of the GSV after the RFA (7.8%); progression of varicose disease with the small saphenous vein (SSV) and formation of new reflux associated with insufficiency of the saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) (4.7%); d) insufficiency of perforating veins of the tibioperoneal group (Sherman, Boyd), as well as Gunter (3.8%); e) neovascularization with dilation of small vessels in the area of the saphenofemoral junction (0.97%). A comparative assessment of the quality of life (QL) after different surgery methods 3 years after implementation was carried out. Thus, QL in all patients who underwent surgery significantly improved than before surgery. However, after the RFA GSV+AAGSV, the patients had better QL by all scales than those who underwent only RFA GSV. Operations performed simultaneously on GSV and AAGSV have better functionality than GSV-only RFA.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment modalities for anterior accessory saphenous vein insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and compare the outcomes of the available treatment modalities for anterior accessory saphenous vein (AASV) incompetence.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies reporting the outcomes of patients who were treated for primary AASV incompetence were included. The methodologic quality of the articles was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). A random-effects model was used to estimate anatomic success, defined as AASV occlusion. The secondary outcomes were pain during and after treatment, venous clinical severity score, quality of life, esthetic result, time to return to daily activities, and complications.

RESULTS

The search identified 860 articles, of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 609 AASVs were reported. The included studies were of poor or moderate quality according to MINORS score. The pooled anatomic success rates were 91.8% after endovenous laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation (EVLA, RFA, 11 studies), 93.6% after cyanoacrylate closure (3 studies), and 79.8% after sclerotherapy (2 studies). The non-pooled anatomic success rate was 97.9% after phlebectomy and 82% after CHIVA. Paresthesia was seen after EVLA in 0.7% of patients (6 studies). Phlebitis was seen in 2.6% of patients after RFA (2 studies), 27% after sclerotherapy (1 study), and 12% after the phlebectomy (1 study). Deep venous thrombosis and skin burn did not occur.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of AASV incompetence is safe and effective. Despite limited evidence, occlusion of the AASV can be achieved with endovenous thermal ablation and cyanoacrylate. There does not appear to be a benefit of EVLA compared to RFA regarding treatment efficacy. Phlebectomy shows promising results if the saphenofemoral junction is competent. Lower results are seen after sclerotherapy and CHIVA. However, studies with sufficient sample sizes of solely treatment of AASV incompetence are needed to draw firm conclusions.

Scoping review of non-thermal technologies for endovenous ablation for treatment of venous insufficiency

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this review article is to compare the outcomes of newer non-thermal endovenous ablation techniques to thermal ablation techniques for the treatment of symptomatic venous insufficiency.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Three independent reviewers screened PubMed® and EMBASE® databases to identify relevant studies. A total of 1173 articles were identified from database search that met our inclusion criteria. Two articles were identified through reference search. Removal of duplicates from our original search yielded 695 articles. We then screened these articles and assessed 173 full-text articles for eligibility. Subsequent to exclusion, 11 full-text articles were selected for final inclusion.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The non-thermal techniques are similar to thermal techniques in terms of a high technical success rate, closure rate at 12 months, change in Venous Clinical Severity Score and change in quality of life after procedure. However, the length of procedure is shorter for non-thermal modalities and patient comfort is improved with lower pain scores. Return to work may also be earlier after non-thermal ablation. The rates of bruising, phlebitis and paresthesia are higher after thermal ablation.

CONCLUSIONS

The non-thermal modalities are safe and effective in treating venous reflux and have shown improved patient comfort and shorter length of procedure which may make them favorable for use compared to the thermal modalities.

Ablation of the great saphenous vein with F-care versus Closurefast endovenous radiofrequency therapy: Double-blinded prospective study

Objectives

F-care (endovenous radiofrequency, F Care Systems, Antwerp, Belgium) is a relatively new radiofrequency ablation technique for the treatment of venous insufficiency. There is a lack of published data about F-care in literature. This study aimed to prospectively compare the F-care method with conventional endovenous radiofrequency ablation Closurefast method for the management of incompetent great saphenous veins.

Methods

Between June 2015 and December 2018, 114 patients with incompetent varicose veins were treated either with the F-care or Closurefast. The pre-, intra-, postprocedural, and follow-up data of the patients were collected and prospectively compared.

Results

The average ablated vein length was 23.1 ± 4 cm in the F-care group and 26.6 ± 4 cm in the Closurefast group ( P =  0.01). The average procedure time was 17.4 ± 4 min (range: 10–30 min) in the F-care group, and 17.1 ± 3 min (range: 11–27 min) in the Closurefast group ( P =  0.77). The one-month total occlusion rates in the F-care and Closurefast groups were 96.2% and 98.1%, respectively ( P =  0.5). The one-year full occlusion rates in the F-care and Closurefast groups were 71.7% and 90.6%, respectively ( P =  0.013). In both the F-care and Closurefast groups, the venous clinical severity scores declined significantly with no difference between groups. There was no significant difference between adverse events following F-care treatment compared with Closurefast treatment ( P ≤  0.05).

Conclusions

The F-care system was as safe and fast, but the one-year closure rate was significantly lower when compared to the other method. There was no significant difference between the adverse effects of both approaches. Further large-scale, multi-center prospective studies with long-term outcomes are required to identify the effectiveness of F-care treatment modality for patients with saphenous vein insufficiency.

Sphincter-sparing surgery for complex anal fistulas: radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the tract is of no help

AIM

To compare the rate of failure of radiofrequency thermocoagulation for anal fistula with that of rectal advancement flap in a case-matched study.

METHOD

Patients who underwent radiofrequency treatment were compared with age- and sex-matched patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who underwent a rectal flap procedure. Fistula features, general characteristics and the main clinical events were recorded in a prospective database. Failure was defined by at least one of following: abscess, purulent discharge, visible external opening or further drainage procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients [median age 45 (range 36.8-57.5) years; 22 women, 40 men; 22 with CD] were analysed. The failure rate of radiofrequency treatment was higher than that of rectal flap treatment (74.2% vs 32.2%; P = 0.004). The cumulative probabilities of failure of the radiofrequency treatment were 53.8% (38.8-68.3), 71.8% (55.3-84.0) and 87.4% (70.6-95.3) at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Three patients in the radiofrequency group required drainage for an abscess and one had severe thermal ulceration. The Cox proportional hazards regression model (surgical procedure, obesity, CD) showed rectal flap treatment [3.48 (1.60-8.07); P = 0.001] and CD [2.60 (1.16-6.41); P = 0.02] to be the main independent predictors of healing.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation is a less satisfactory sphincter-sparing treatment for the management of anal fistula than a rectal flap procedure.

Radiofrequency Therapy and Noncosmetic Cutaneous Conditions

BACKGROUND

The need for noninvasive methods in treatment of cutaneous disease has continued to evolve exponentially. Amidst the search for technologies, radiofrequency (RF) has proven efficacious in numerous skin disease processes. Although RF is well known for its cosmetic utility, its mechanism is valued in the treatment of many noncosmetic cutaneous conditions of various etiologies.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and describe studies in which RF was used to treat noncosmetic skin conditions and to explore the potential of this modality for further application in dermatologic diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed database was used to find relevant articles.

RESULTS

This search strategy yielded 54 articles that met the eligibility criteria. Noncosmetic indications discussed in these articles include varicose veins (n = 10,550), lymphangioma circumscriptum (n = 72), cutaneous neoplasms (n = 42), cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 743), acne and acne scarring (n = 158), non-acne scarring (n = 43), primary axillary hyperhidrosis (n = 76), and acute and chronic wounds (n = 94).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with RF is an effective, generally noninvasive modality with a relatively short postprocedure recovery time and little potential for severe adverse effects in the treatment of several cutaneous conditions. Further clinical studies would prove useful to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this treatment.

Comparative analysis of five-year outcomes of lower extremity varicose vein therapy using monopolar and segmental radiofrequency ablation

BACKGROUND

To compare efficacy and safety of segmental and monopolar radiofrequency ablation in the management of lower extremity varicose veins.

METHODS

A total of 193 patients were treated with segmental RF ablation (Venefit; N.=97) or monopolar RF ablation (EVRF; N.=96) for lower extremity varicose veins from 2010 to 2012. A single extremity of each patient with isolated GSV or SSV insufficiency was enrolled. The differences between the two groups in demographic parameters, disease severity, treated veins, peri- and postoperative complications, and treatment efficacy indicators (VCSS) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Based on Kaplan-Meier's analysis, the occlusion rate after 5 years was 87.6% in Venefit group and 87.8% in EVFR group (P>0.05). Varicose vein recurrence rates were 10.3% and 12.9% in the Venefit and EVFR groups, respectively (P>0.05). The VCSS reduction was comparable between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Venefit and EVRF systems can be considered equivalent in terms of efficacy and safety in the management of lower extremity varicose veins.

Double prepuncture as a valuable adjunctive technique for complex endovenous ablation

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to characterize the technique and to report the results of double prepuncture used during complex radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in cases of treating multiple incompetent veins or encountering focal obstruction to catheter advancement.

METHODS

A double prepuncture technique was applied in patients requiring endovascular ablation of multiple veins and patients with great saphenous vein cannulation failure. We treated 13 limbs in 12 patients during a 24-month period with RFA in which the double prepuncture technique was used. Clinical history, operative reports, outcomes, and follow-up were reviewed.

RESULTS

RFA was performed with the double puncture technique on, collectively, 10 great saphenous veins, 5 small saphenous veins, and 5 anterior accessory saphenous veins. Mean preoperative Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology score was 4.38 ± 1.6. Three limbs required prepuncture because of difficulty in advancing the catheter cephalad through tortuosity and focal obstruction after failure with techniques such as a guidewire, a guide catheter, and manual compression with ultrasound guidance. Ten limbs received planned double prepuncture for multiple adjacent incompetent veins, for which venipuncture and cannulation of the second target vein would be difficult after tumescent application to the first vein. Postoperative ultrasound demonstrated successful closure of all target veins in which the double prepuncture technique was used. One patient had a deep venous thrombosis (7.7%) that resolved without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Double prepuncture is a useful technical adjunct both for simultaneous endovenous ablation of multiple adjacent incompetent veins and when catheter passage is impeded. This technique aids in efficient and successful application of endovenous ablation to complex venous anatomy.

Radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins

Background: In the search of alternative techniques to high ligation and stripping (HL/S) in the treatment of varicose veins, catheter-ablation methods have been implemented since 1998. Besides endovenous laser techniques (ELT) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a successful device in treating insufficiency of the Great (GSV) and Small saphenous vein (SSV). Methods: This review article sums up publications on Closure Plus™, ClosureFAST™, RFITT® (Celon Method), and EVRF®. It discusses the actually favorized treatment protocols and study results. Results of meta-analysis are presented, too.

Results: The Closure Plus™ catheter was the first radiofrequency technique to be licensed in Europe in 1998. Trials and meta-analyzes show occlusion rates of 81–89 % after 5 years. The consecutive technique was the ClosureFAST™ (CLF) catheter that was introduced in 2007 and offered more standardization in treatment. Published data show occlusion rates of 98 % after 5 years and low profile on complications. Also in 2007 a bipolar radiofrequency technique called RFITT was presented. Due to lack of standards in treatment protocol it could not get accepted as well as CLF despite of good treatment results (92–98 % occlusion rates after 12 months) and low complications. A new RFA device called EVRF® shows weak evidence so far.

Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins has become a well-established treatment alternative to HL/S mostly represented by CLF.