title: Great saphenous vein ablation with steam injection: results of a multicentre study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the safety and efficiency of steam vein sclerosis (SVS) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in a multicentre open prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  75 consecutive adult patients with GSV reflux, CEAP C2-C5 and vein diameter 4-13 mm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients treated using an SVS™ generator delivering homogenous pulses of superheated steam were followed up at 8 days and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (clinical, duplex ultrasound, quality of life [QoL] with SF12).
  
  
  RESULTS
  88 veins were treated in 75 patients. At 6 months, 72/75 (96%) veins were obliterated (95% CI: 89-99) and Kaplan-Meier analysis found an obliteration rate of 96.1% at 12 months. QoL increased at 6 months for both the physical and mental components (p = 0.049 and p < 0.001 respectively). SVS was well tolerated: no major complications were reported. Adverse events occurred mainly at day 8 and incidents amounted to ecchymosis (n = 60) and pain (n = 7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SVS achieved an obliteration rate similar to that of other thermal ablation techniques. It was well tolerated with minimal post-operative pain.
authors: Polyclinique Pasteur, Service de Chirurgie Vasculaire, 3 Rue Pasteur, Pezenas F-34120, France. rmilleret001@yahoo.fr
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Milleret
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Huot
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Nicolini
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Creton
authors: A S
authors: AS
authors: Roux
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Decullier
authors: F R
authors: FR
authors: Chapuis
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Camelot
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004438:Ecchymosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013227:Steam / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D013227:Steam