ORIGINAL ARTICLE   Free access

International Angiology 2018 December;37(6):457-64

DOI: 10.23736/S0392-9590.18.03954-8

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

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

Witold WOŹNIAK ¹ ✉, Maciej KIELAR ², R. Krzysztof MLOSEK ³, Piotr CIOSTEK ¹

¹ Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Second Faculty of Medicine with the English Division and the Physiotherapy Division, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; ² Division of Health Science, Department of Cancer Nursing, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland; ³ Department of Sonography and Mammography, Second Faculty of Medicine with the English Division and the Physiotherapy Division, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

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.

KEY WORDS: Varicose veins - Complications - Ablation techniques - Venous insufficiency