title: Which endovenous ablation method does offer a better long-term technical success in the treatment of the incompetent great saphenous vein? Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review article was to evaluate the long-term technical success rates of the known endovenous ablation procedures in the treatment of the incompetence of the great saphenous vein.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted in the PubMed-database until the 5 January 2016. All publications with four to five years follow-up were eligible. Meta-analysis was performed by the IVhet-model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight hundred and sixty-two unique publications were found; 17 of them were appropriate for meta-analysis. Overall, 1420 limbs were included in the trial, 939 for endovenous laser ablation, 353 for radiofrequency ablation and 128 for ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy. Overall, technical success rates were 84.8% for endovenous laser ablation, 88.7% for radiofrequency ablation and 32.8% for ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy. There were no significant differences between endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy regarding the great saphenous vein reopening (p = 0.66; OR: 0.22; 95% of CI: 0.08-0.62 for radiofrequency ablation vs. endovenous laser ablation; p = 0.96; OR: 0.11; 95% of CI: 0.06-0.20 for endovenous laser ablation vs. ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy; p = 0.93; OR: 3.20; 95% of CI: 0.54-18.90 for ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy vs. radiofrequency ablation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both endovenous laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation are efficient in great saphenous vein occlusion on the long term. Lacking long-conducted large trials, the efficacy and reliability of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy to treat great saphenous vein-reflux is not affirmed.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pannonia, Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balint
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kanizsai Dorottya Hospital, Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
authors.forename: Akos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farics
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kanizsai Dorottya Hospital, Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
authors.forename: Krisztina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kanizsai Dorottya Hospital, Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vizsy
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kanizsai Dorottya Hospital, Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
authors.forename: Jozsef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Batorfi
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menyhei
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kanizsai Dorottya Hospital, Nagykanizsa, Hungary balint_istvan_bence@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Istvan B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Balint
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Great saphenous vein; endovenous laser ablation; radiofrequency ablation; ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy