Controlled Radiofrequency Endovenous Occlusion Using a Unique Radiofrequency Catheter Under Duplex Guidance to Eliminate Saphenous Varicose Vein Reflux: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

RF endovenous occlusion allows patients to obtain treatment with the positive attributes of surgery, that is, a single treatment and low rate of recurrent reflux, but without the morbidity, need for general anesthesia, or extensive convalescence associated with vein stripping and ligation surgery. Patient satisfaction was routinely achieved, with 98% of patients indicating a willingness to recommend the RF endovascular procedure to a friend or family member.

Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation of Superficial and Perforator Veins

“…At 6 months, they became either hyperechogenic or isoechogenic. Weiss [19] demonstrated the sonographic disappearance of the saphenous vein in 90% of limbs after 2 years.…”

“…Paresthesia was reported to occur in 9% to 19% of limbs within 1 week after the procedure [12][13][14][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27], and gradually resolved over time [25]. Limiting treatment to the above-knee segment decreases the risk of paresthesia because 90% of the time the saphenous nerve travels within the saphenous compartment from the groin to the knee, and then travels superficial to this compartment, and thus is more susceptible to injury with heat in the below-knee location despite tumescent fluid infiltration.…”

“…The efficacy of RFA treatment has been reported by several groups [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. The largest study with the longest follow-up is the clinical registry series.…”

What is popular may no longer be popular: Cyanoacrylate and other alternatives in surgical treatment of chronic venous insufficiency

“…The surgical therapy mainly focused on high ligation and stripping (HLS) defined by Myers in 1947. [2] With the beginning of 21 st century, great developments have been achieved including endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) first reported by Navarro and Min in 2001 [3] and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) by Weiss and Weiss in 2002. [4] Those two methods defined as endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) have become the treatment of choice as first line therapy recommended by American Venous Forum and United Kingdom recommendations.…”

“…[2] With the beginning of 21 st century, great developments have been achieved including endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) first reported by Navarro and Min in 2001 [3] and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) by Weiss and Weiss in 2002. [4] Those two methods defined as endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) have become the treatment of choice as first line therapy recommended by American Venous Forum and United Kingdom recommendations. [5,6] However, a search for a better technique has continued with mechanicochemical ablation (MOCA) first reported by Elias and Raines in 2012 [7] and finally cyanoacrylate ablation (CAA) by Almeida in 2013.…”