Five‐year results from the prospective European multicentre cohort study on radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation for incompetent great saphenous veins. Issue 3 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Proebstle, T. M.; Alm, B. J.; Göckeritz, O.; Wenzel, C.; Noppeney, T.; Lebard, C.; Sessa, C.; Creton, D.; Pichot, O.
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 102:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 212
• Page End: 218
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.9679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="bjs9679-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="bjs9679-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p id="bjs9679-para-0001">This was a prospective study of radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation (RFA) for the treatment of incompetent varicose great saphenous veins (GSVs). The present report describes long‐term follow‐up at 5 years.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjs9679-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p id="bjs9679-para-0002">The 5‐year follow‐up of this multicentre European study included assessment of the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and GSV occlusion and reflux on duplex imaging.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjs9679-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p id="bjs9679-para-0003">A total of 225 patients had 295 GSVs treated by RFA, achieving an initial vein occlusion rate of 100 per cent. With 80·0 per cent compliance, Kaplan–Meier analyses showed a GSV occlusion rate of 91·9 per cent and a reflux‐free rate of 94·9 per cent at 5 years. Among the 15 GSVs noted with reflux during follow‐up, only three showed full recanalization of the GSV at 1 week, 6 months and 3 years. Of the 12 legs with partial recanalization, reflux originated at the saphenofemoral junction in ten, with a mean length of the patent segment of 5·8 (range 3·2–10) cm; only six patients were symptomatic. Mean(s.d.) VCSS scores improved from 3·9(2·1) at baseline to 0·6(1·2), 0·9(1·3) and 1·3(1·7) at 1, 3 and 5 years.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjs9679-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p id="bjs9679-para-0004">At 5 years RFA proved to be an efficient endovenous treatment for incompetent GSVs in terms of sustained clinical and anatomical success for the vast majority of treated patients.</p> </sec> </abstract>