Randomized clinical trial comparing endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy, and surgical stripping for great saphenous varicose veins with 3-year follow-up

Five-year results of a randomized clinical trial of conventional surgery, endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in patients with great saphenous varicose veins

“…The obliteration rate after UGFS was 20–50 per cent lower than in previous mid‐ and long‐term reports of RCTs and prospective cohort studies. This difference in UGFS efficacy between studies might be due to factors such as treatment protocol of UGFS, combination therapy (adding phlebectomies or high ligation) and inclusion of large‐diameter GSVs.…”

Retrospective analysis of routine use of a double heat cycle (DHC) during radiofrequency segmental ablation (ClosureFAST™) of saphenous veins

“…The largest patient pool of RFSA of GSV reported so far by Proebstle and the European Closure Study Group had the closure rates after 2 and 3 years, 94.5 and 92.6%, respectively. In a prospective randomized comparative study Rasmussen et al . obtained similar Kaplan–Meier estimates for occlusion probability of GSV of 93% by RFSA after 3 years.…”

Is radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins a valuable option? A systematic review of the literature with a cost analysis

“…However, these new publications do not present results different from those presented here with the VNUS technology. [63][64][65][66] Indeed, these studies indicate that RFA is a safe procedure with minimal complications and with a clinical efficacy similar to that of open surgery. Importantly, one of the few studies with 5-year results indicates that RFA maintains occlusion rates of 91.9% and freedom from reflux in 94.9% of legs.…”