Effectiveness of Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation for Elderly Patients with Varicose Veins of Lower Extremities

Thermal Ablation, Nonthermal Ablation And Surgical Striping Applications: 1-Year Single Center Early Results

ABSTRACT: Objectives : Starting from the 1900's minimally invasive methods such as endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) developed. Methods: This study includes a total of 136 patients (81 women/55 men), of whom 22 (10 women/12 men) were treated with classic surgical stripping, 54 (32 women/22 men) with thermal ablation and 60 (39 women/55 men) with non-thermal ablation. Results: Twenty-two patients (10 women/12 men) were treated with surgical stripping. In one female patient a hematoma arose in the medial crural region postoperatively. A radiofrequency catheter (ThermoBLOCK TM) was used in the thermal ablation procedures in 54 patients (32 female/22 male). It is believed that permanent paresthesia occured in one female patient after the procedure. In 3 male patients temporary paresthesia occured postoperatively. Non- thermal ablation was performed in 60 patients(39 female/55 male). Even through a severe burning sensation was present in 6 patients (5 female/1 male) during the procedure, this symptom was only transient. In one of the patients, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occured at the level of the popliteal vein postoperatively at the sixth day. Conclusion: Even if thermal and non-thermal ablation and surgical procedures have the same pain decreasing rates, hematomas and a longer hospital stay are more frequent in surgical procedures.

Clinical Efficacy of Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Superficial Varicose Veins of the Lower Extremities

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy of intravenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of patients with superficial varicose veins of lower extremities.

Methods

From January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022, 62 patients with superficial lower extremity varicose veins were selected and divided into two groups according to the treatment plan. 31 patients underwent high saphenous vein ligation and dissection as control. Thirty-one patients received RFA treatment as the experimental group. The operation-related indicators, clinical efficacy, and postoperative complications were compared.

Results

The intraoperative blood loss in the experimental group was significantly less than that in the control group. The clinical efficacy of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group. The incidence of postoperative complications in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group.

Conclusion

RFA has a good clinical effect in the treatment of patients with superficial lower extremity varicose veins, with less postoperative complications, and has a high therapeutic value.

Preliminary Results of a New Illuminated Radiofrequency Ablation Catheter for the Treatment of Great Saphenous Vein Reflux Disease

Introduction: In the current study, we present single surgeon experience of a new radiofrequency ablation system, the catheter, and the device. Patients and Methods: The new system, which comprises a generator and an intervally illuminated radiofrequency ablation catheter, was used for the treatment of 272 consecutive patients with chronic venous insufficiency of the great saphenous vein between November 2017 and October 2018. Mean age of the patients was 53.40 ± 11.91 years. Mean saphenous vein diameter was 8.51 ± 2.45 mm. Bilateral great saphenous vein reflux disease was present in 19% (51 cases) of the patients. At the end of the procedure, the closure of the great saphenous vein was confirmed with Doppler ultrasonography. Results: Procedures could be successfully performed in all, except 1 obese (BMI> 30 kg/m²) male patient. At the 3rd month, outpatient clinic follow-up control Doppler USG revealed successful ablation of the treated great saphenous vein in 260 patients (96%), whereas in 12 cases (4%), there was continuing reflux. The diameters of the saphenous veins in these patients ranged between 6.9 mm and 19.5 (mean: 10.68 ± 3.41) mm. Ten patients could be treated successfully with ablation with the same device controlled both at the interventional section as well as on the 3rd month outpatient clinic follow-up. The remaining patients underwent high ligation of the great saphenous vein. Paresthesia occurred in 1 patient and had been permanent. Hematoma occurred in a male patient and resolved spontaneously. Conclusion: Preliminary results of our new radiofrequency ablation device with illumination guidance for the treatment of great saphenous vein reflux disease indicated successful results with enhanced physician utilization, comfort, and reliability.