Clinical results of radiofrequency endovenous obliteration for varicose veins.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency (RF) endovenous obliteration is performed in the United States and several European countries for the minimally invasive treatment of saphenous-type varicose veins. We evaluated the clinical results of RF endovenous obliteration to treat varicose veins at Fukushima Daiichi Hospital.


METHODS
We performed endovenous obliteration of 25 great saphenous varicose veins in 20 patients, under duplex ultrasound guidance. None of the varicose veins were tortuous in the thigh area. Venous occlusion was evaluated by duplex ultrasound under cuff compression with the patient standing, preoperatively, then 1 day and 1 month postoperatively.


RESULTS
Saphenous obstruction was confirmed in all legs 1 day and 1 month postoperatively, as complete obstruction from the saphenofemoral junction in 1, as complete obstruction with only superficial epigastric venous flow in 23, and as near complete obstruction (patent length > 5 cm) in 1. The venous obstruction was caused by shrinkage of the vein (31.2% of the area at the saphenofemoral junction, 44% at the thigh, and 57.7% at the knee) and thrombus formation. The only complications of RF endovenous obliteration were clinical superficial thrombophlebitis (13%) and temporal sensory nerve injury (4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency endovenous obliteration is as effective as, but less invasive than other treatments for saphenous varicose veins.
Ogawa
Tomohiro
T
Cardiovascular Disease Center, Fukushima Daiichi Hospital, 16-2 Kitasawamata Nariide, Fukushima 960-8251, Japan.
Hoshino
Shunichi
S
Midorikawa
Hirofumi
H
Sato
Kouichi
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014654:Vascular Patency