Short and Mid-term Outcome of Radiofrequency Ablation without Concomitant Phlebectomy/Sclerotherapy for Tributary Varicose Veins

Abstract

Endovenous surgery in the treatment of varicose veins generally consists of laser or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as endovenous thermal ablation (ETA) with a phlebectomy or foam sclerotherapy of tributary varicose veins to improve symptomatic or cosmetic problems. Nevertheless, the efficacy of their concomitant treatments is still controversial for a decade. In the guideline of Japanese Society of Phlebology, concomitant phlebectomy of tributary varicose veins with ETA is described that it is not recommended officially. In our hospital, RFA without concomitant phlebectomy of tributary varicose veins accounts for seventy four percent of the RFA cases and it shows relatively higher percentage than other institutions in Japan. The data of RFA without concomitant phlebectomy of tributary varicose veins is evenly matched in RFA with concomitant treatments in our data concerning recurrence, remnants, endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) and complications. This article provides the conclusion that it would be acceptable to perform isolated RFA compared to RFA with concomitant phlebectomy or foam sclerotherapy of tributary varicose veins in short and midterm period. In addition, concomitant treatments might contribute to rapid improvement of the short term and better long-term outcome, not to mention cosmetic problems those are not identified demonstrably.