title: Bipolar radiofrequency induced thermotherapy and 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser in endovenous occlusion of insufficient veins: short term follow up results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to report our results in main stem vein closure using the bipolar radiofrequency induced thermotherapy (RFITT) system and the 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  44 incompetent main stem veins (37 great saphenous veins, one lesser saphenous vein, and 6 anterior accessory saphenous veins) in 29 patients were treated using RFITT. 53 incompetent main stem veins (45 great saphenous veins, 4 lesser saphenous veins, and 4 anterior accessory saphenous veins) in 43 patients were treated endovenously with 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser. All patients underwent postoperative duplex scanning within a month after procedure, as well as a short interview regarding postoperative discomfort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In main stem veins treated with RFITT, the success rate within the first month was 86,4 % (38 out of 44 veins). Complete failure rate was 13,6 % (6 out of 44 veins). In 53 main stem veins treated by 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser, the success rate was 100 %, consisting of 98,1 % complete success (52/53 veins), and 1,9 % partial success (1/53 veins). None of the patients treated with RFITT experienced postoperative adverse effects, whereas 13/43 (30,2 %) patients treated with laser had to use oral analgesics after the treatment, and 21/43 (48,8 %) patients reported transient skin changes, such as bruising or skin redness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RFITT system was fairly efficient in the short term for closure of main trunk veins, whereas longer term results are still scarce. Postoperative side effects of RFITT were minimal. 1,064 nm Nd:Yag laser, according to short term results, proved to be very effective for main stem vein closure. Postoperative side effects related to 1064 nm Nd:Yag endovenous laser treatment proved to be minor, transient, and acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia. anton.krnic@zg.t-com.hr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krnic
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sucic
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017523:Croatia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*