title: A Comparison of 1,470-nm Endovenous Laser Ablation and Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Great Saphenous Veins 10 mm or More in Size.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To compare 1,470-nm endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of patients with great saphenous vein diameters of 10 mm or more.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty consecutive patients presenting to the cardiovascular surgery department with a great saphenous vein diameter exceeding 10 mm at the saphenofemoral junction between January and December 2013 were included in the study. The first randomly selected 60 patients (group 1) received 1,470-nm EVLA and the other 60 patients (group 2) received RFA. Patients were assessed on the second day, the first week, and the first, third, and sixth months. Major and minor complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minor complications in EVLA and RFA were hyperemia at 20% and 30% (P = 0.50), ecchymosis at 16.7% and 48.3% (P = 0.02), and edema at 40.0% and 65.5% (P < 0.08), respectively. No major complication was observed in any patient. Recanalization developed during monitoring in 3 patients in the RFA group, a rate of 5%. No recanalization was observed in the EVLA group. Success rates in the EVLA and RFA groups were 100% and 95%, respectively. Mean time to return to daily activity was 0.7 days in the EVLA group and 1.4 days in the RFA group (P < 0.006), whereas mean time to return to work was 1.8 days in the EVLA group and 2.2 days in the RFA group (P < 0.07). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of pain during the procedure or postoperatively. Less pain was reported in the EVLA during both (P < 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EVLA using a 1,470-nm radial fiber is superior to RFA in the treatment of saphenous veins larger than 10 mm in diameter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mese
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Electronic address: orhanbozoglan1975@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bozoglan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdinc
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kemalettin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Acipayam
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan Cetin
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ekerbicer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alptekin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yasim
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*