title: Histopathological findings in varicose veins following bipolar radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy--results of an ex vivo experiment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the histopathological changes of the vein wall caused by bipolar radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy (RFITT), and to examine influence of power and application time on the histopathological changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty vein specimens atraumatically extracted near the saphenofemoral junction were treated by RFITT ex vivo. RFITT was applied with fixed (2 seconds) and varied (up to an impedance of 400 Ω) application time and increasing power (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 W). Specimens were processed histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RFITT induced coagulation of collagen bundles, shrinking of muscles, splitting and necrosis of the vein wall. Circumferential necrosis of intima and media was reached by a power of 20-25 W and an application time up to an impedance of 400 Ω. Only heterogeneous necrosis of intima and media in parts of the vessel was reached by lower power with long application time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A homogeneous necrosis of the circumferential vein wall needs high power and sufficient application time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Vein Centre-Departments of Dermatology & Vascular Surgery, Hiltroper Landwehr 11-13, D-44805 Bochum-Gerthe, Germany. s.reich@elis-stiftung.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reich-Schupke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mumme
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stücker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen