Ultrasound changes at the saphenofemoral junction and in the long saphenous vein during the first year after VNUS closure.
BACKGROUND
The VNUS Closure is an endoluminal, percutaneous catheter-based device using a radiofrequency current to cause permanent closure of the long saphenous vein (LSV) as an alternative to high tie and stripping. This study describes our postoperative ultrasound scan surveillance results of VNUS Closure cases over a one year period.


METHODS
Between March and August 2000, 79 patients had 127 legs treated. Postoperative ultrasound scans were performed in order to evaluate persistence of a patent superficial inferior epigastric vein at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), stump length of the remaining SFJ and changes in morphology and diameter of the ablated LSV. Ten legs were chosen randomly for this evaluation at each follow-up appointment.


RESULTS
Fifty-seven per cent of the patients' legs had a patent SFJ-stump with a remaining patent superficial epigastric vein but none of the patients showed neovascularisation at the SFJ or recanalisation of the LSV. The stump length at the SFJ appeared to be getting smaller as our experience grew greater.


CONCLUSIONS
This new technique of radiofrequency ablation provides a minimal access alternative to the classical high tie and stripping. Our results to date show that this procedure leaves a small patent stump at the SFJ with no evidence of neovascularisation and a completely atrophied closed LSV.
Fassiadis
N
N
Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK. nfassiadis@doctors.org.uk
Kianifard
B
B
Holdstock
J M
JM
Whiteley
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*