Pain following 980-nm endovenous laser ablation and segmental radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins: a prospective observational study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative pain following endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and identify risk factors for increased pain.


METHODS
Patients undergoing either segmental RFA (VNUS Closure Fast, VNUS Medical Technologies, San Jose, California) or EVLA (980 nm) for varicose veins completed a preoperative disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire [AVVQ]) and a diary card recording postoperative pain, return to normal activities, and return to work. Median 3- and 10-day pain scores were calculated.


RESULTS
In all, 81 patients returned diary cards (RFA = 45, EVLA = 36). Patients receiving RFA reported less postoperative pain than those receiving EVLA at 3 days (14.5 vs 25.8 mm, P = .053, Mann-Whitney U test) and 10 days (13 vs 23.3 mm, P = .014, Mann-Whitney U test) and returned to work earlier than those receiving EVLA (median 5 vs 9 days, P = .022).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients treated with segmental RFA had less postoperative pain and returned to work quicker than those treated with EVLA.
Imperial Vascular Unit, Imperial College, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Amanda C
AC
Shepherd
Manj S
MS
Gohel
Chung S
CS
Lim
Maher
M
Hamish
Alun H
AH
Davies
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics