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J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 Nov;6(6):696-701

Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.

Background: Primary iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) often is manifested with varicose veins (VVs), but the treatment of patients with IVCS combined with VVs remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of a one-stop procedure for patients with IVCS and VVs.

Methods: The 32 enrolled patients underwent iliac stenting first and then endovenous laser ablation for VVs. Read More

Phlebology 2018 Sep 18:268355518800191. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

The Vascular Unit, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, UK.

Background Thermal ablation, usually performed with tumescent local anaesthesia (TLA), is the preferred method for varicose veins treatment. Tumescent local anaesthesia is always cited; however, little detail of the procedure is presented in publications. This retrospective audit of clinical tumescent local anaesthesia practice aims to provide detailed information on an important aspect of endovenous practice. Read More

Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2018 Jun;43(6):651-655

Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.

Objective: To compare the effect of cold or room temperature of tumescence anesthesia solution on pain perception during and after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for varicose veins of lower limb.
 Methods: A total of 51 patients with lower extremity varicose vein were treated by EVLA with tumescence anesthesia solution. All patients were used for local anesthesia and randomly divided into 2 groups according to the temperature of tumescence anesthesia solution: Group A (n=26) with room temperature (24 ℃) of tumescence anesthesia solution and Group B (n=25) with cold (4 ℃) tumescence anesthesia solution. Read More

Value Health 2018 08 15;21(8):911-920. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK; Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.

Objectives: To analyze the cost-effectiveness of current technologies (conservative care [CONS], high-ligation surgery [HL/S], ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy [UGFS], endovenous laser ablation [EVLA], and radiofrequency ablation [RFA]) and emerging technologies (mechanochemical ablation [MOCA] and cyanoacrylate glue occlusion [CAE]) for treatment of varicose veins over 5 years.

Methods: A Markov decision model was constructed. Effectiveness was measured by re-intervention on the truncal vein, re-treatment of residual varicosities, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) over 5 years. Read More

Sao Paulo Med J 2018 Jul-Aug;136(4):324-332. Epub 2018 Jul 16.

MD, PhD. Full Professor of the Discipline of Vascular Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Background: Varicose veins affect nearly 30% of the world's population. This condition is a social problem and needs interventions to improve quality of life and reduce risks. Recently, new and less invasive methods for varicose vein treatment have emerged. Read More

Angiol Sosud Khir 2018;24(2):82-91

Municipal Clinical Hospital #40, Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Objective: The study was aimed at comparing clinical and ultrasonographic results during 3 years of postoperative follow up of patients presenting with lower limb varicose veins (LLVV) and subjected to either surgical or thermal-ablation procedures for removal of pathological reflux along the great saphenous vein (GSV) within the femur The study included a total of 185 patients with clinical class C2-3 LLVV in the system of the GSV. The patients were divided into three groups: Group One consisted of 63 patients subjected to short stripping of the GSV trunk + treatment of the perforant veins (66.7%); Group Two comprised 61 patients undergoing endovenous laser coagulation (EVLC) of the GSV trunk + EVLC of the perforant veins (73. Read More

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2018 09 9;56(3):410-424. Epub 2018 Jun 9.

Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, St Nessan's Road, Limerick, Ireland; Munster Vascular, Cork, Limerick & Waterford, Ireland.

Objectives: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the incidence of thrombotic events following great saphenous vein (GSV) endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA).

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase and conference abstracts were searched. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials and case series that included at least 100 patients who underwent GSV EVTA (laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation [RFA]) with duplex ultrasound (DUS) within 30 days. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2018 10;44(10):1287-1294

All authors are affiliated with the Department of Radiology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: Redo surgery for recurrent varicose veins of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is technically more challenging than the initial surgery.

Objective: To compare 980 and 1,470-nm endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of residual GSV insufficiency after saphenofemoral ligation ± stripping.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-seven limbs in 29 patients with recurrent varicose veins were retrospectively evaluated. Read More

J Vasc Interv Radiol 2018 06 25;29(6):781-789. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Department of Vascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: To compare outcomes of patients who received simultaneous tributary endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or foam sclerotherapy (FS) with EVLA of the great saphenous vein (GSV) trunk.

Methods And Materials: This study recruited 418 patients (542 legs) with diagnosed varicose veins. Patients in the EVLA/FS group (255 patients, 327 legs) received concomitant FS for the tributaries with truncal lasering. Read More

N Engl J Med 2018 May 24;378(22):2105-2114. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

From Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge (M.S.G.), the Department of Surgery and Cancer (M.S.G., F.H., A.H.D.) and Imperial Clinical Trials Unit (X.L., J.W.), Imperial College London, London, University of Birmingham, Birmingham (A.B.), Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester (R.B., K.R.P.), the Medical Research Council Population Health Research Unit and the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford (R.B.), University of Manchester, Manchester (N.C.), Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Worcester (I.N.), North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Harrow (S.R.), and University of Warwick, Coventry (J.W.) - all in the United Kingdom; and the University of Granada, Granada, Spain (D.M.E.).

Background: Venous disease is the most common cause of leg ulceration. Although compression therapy improves venous ulcer healing, it does not treat the underlying causes of venous hypertension. Treatment of superficial venous reflux has been shown to reduce the rate of ulcer recurrence, but the effect of early endovenous ablation of superficial venous reflux on ulcer healing remains unclear. Read More

Lasers Med Sci 2018 Sep 23;33(7):1505-1511. Epub 2018 Apr 23.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.

Day surgery is being more and more adopted by clinicians. Higher wavelength lasers give patients better experience than lower wavelength lasers, which makes it more suitable for day surgery. This study compares the short- and mid-term efficacy, postoperative morbidity, and patient satisfaction of "1470-nm endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) combining foam sclerotherapy in day surgery" with "810-nm EVLA with high ligation combining foam sclerotherapy in hospital surgery" on great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency postoperatively. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 07 19;6(4):546-550. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Black Country Vascular Network, Dudley, United Kingdom.

Objective: The aim of this review was to identify the evidence regarding the optimal duration of compression therapy after endovenous ablation of varicose veins.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies assessing the use of compression after endovenous ablation in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The primary outcomes for this study were pain score and complications. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 05;6(3):423-424

Department of Vascular Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 05;6(3):420

Department of Vascular Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Br J Surg 2018 05;105(6):686-691

Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, PL 340, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland.

Background: New treatment methods have challenged open surgery as a treatment for great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency, the most common being ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). This study evaluated the long-term results of surgery, EVLA and UGFS in the treatment of GSV reflux.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic GSV reflux were randomized to undergo either open surgery, EVLA or UGFS. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 07 27;6(4):471-476.e6. Epub 2018 Mar 27.

Department of Surgery, University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Section of Vascular Surgery, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, University of Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: In mid-2007, endovenous ablation (EVA) of the great saphenous vein was introduced into the publicly funded health care system in Saskatchewan, Canada. We hypothesize that the introduction of EVA resulted in a decrease in use of high ligation and stripping (HL/S), decreased costs to the health care system, and increased demand of patients for great saphenous vein ablative procedures.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed administrative data to capture cases of HL/S between 2003 and 2014 and cases of EVA of the great saphenous vein (endovenous laser treatment and radiofrequency ablation) between 2007 and 2014. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2018 May;44(5):679-688

Department of Dermatology, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.

Background: Endovenous thermal ablation is a popular treatment for varicose veins of the greater saphenous vein. Two common techniques of thermal ablation are endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Objective: The authors compare EVLT and RFA in vein therapy. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 05 10;6(3):338-346.e1. Epub 2018 Feb 10.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the current clinical practice and management strategies for varicose veins among Chinese physicians in general and in specific case vignettes.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 726 Chinese physicians who were attending the vascular surgery academic conferences during August 2016 to May 2017 in China. Physicians were eligible if they were familiar with several currently used treatment techniques for varicose veins. Read More

Int J Surg 2018 Mar 2;51:180-183. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Division of Vascular Surgery (Chief. Prof. P. Rispoli), University of Turin, Department of Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Città della Salute e delle Scienza, Molinette Corso Bramante 88, 10126 Torino, Italy.

Objectives: The traditional surgical approach to the treatment of the superficial venous insufficiency requires at least 12 h of post-operative monitoring and this often means the necessity of an overnight hospitalization. The introduction of new, less invasive techniques (i.e endovenous laser ablation) reduces the hospitalization stay in a Day Surgery setting. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 03 29;6(2):256-270. Epub 2017 Dec 29.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: Early studies have demonstrated that endovenous therapy for varicose veins is associated with a faster recovery and lower complication rates compared with conventional therapy. More than one million procedures have been performed worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine long-term efficacy of currently available endovenous therapy methods for varicose veins compared with conventional surgery (saphenofemoral ligation and stripping of great saphenous vein [GSV] with or without multiple avulsions) in management of GSV-related varicose veins. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 01 24;6(1):31-40. Epub 2017 Aug 24.

Centrum Oosterwal, Alkmaar, The Netherlands.

Background: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency-powered segmental ablation (RPSA) of the incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) are both known for their excellent technical and clinical outcomes for the treatment of varicose veins. RPSA has reduced postprocedural pain and morbidity with shorter recovery time for the patient compared with EVLA using bare-tip fibers. However, new-generation EVLA devices with less traumatic radial-tip fibers (RTFs) operating at longer wavelengths up to 1470 nm also reduce postprocedural pain. Read More

Photomed Laser Surg 2018 Mar 27;36(3):169-173. Epub 2017 Nov 27.

1 Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid, Jordan .

Objective: To measure pre- and postoperative plasma concentrations of growth factors (VEGF, PDGF, EGF, ANG1, and ANG2) in patients with primary lower limb varicose veins (VVs) treated with endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).

Background: Many studies have explored the potential relationship between primary VVs and growth factors. No previous studies were done for patients treated with EVLA. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018 03 2;6(2):220-223. Epub 2017 Nov 2.

Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Background: The correct positioning of the laser tip at the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction during endovenous laser therapy is paramount to ensure a safe and effective procedure. The aim of this study was to demonstrate how patient positioning and tumescence infiltration can affect this safe junctional distance.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was carried out for all patients who received endovenous laser treatment for symptomatic varicose veins between February 2008 and February 2014 in one surgeon's practice in a teaching hospital vascular unit. Read More

Clin Privil White Pap 2017 Oct(215):1-19

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2017 11 26;5(6):817-823. Epub 2017 Jun 26.

Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Objective: Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are well-known complications after superficial endovenous thermoablation. We investigated the efficacy of rivaroxaban in preventing EHIT and DVT after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive series of patients presenting with truncal varicosis class C to C undergoing EVLA. Read More

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2017 Dec 14;54(6):760-770. Epub 2017 Oct 14.

Department of Dermatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Objectives: The most frequently used treatment options for great saphenous vein incompetence are high ligation with stripping (HL+S), endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA), mainly consisting of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the long-term efficacy of these different treatment modalities.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed. Read More

Phlebology 2017 12 3;32(10):682-683. Epub 2017 Oct 3.

3 Department of Vascular Surgery, 8124 University Medical Center, Utrecht , The Netherlands.

Phlebology 2018 Sep 28;33(8):534-539. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

1 The Whiteley Clinic, Guildford, Surrey, UK.

Aims To report on great saphenous vein diameter distribution of patients undergoing endovenous laser ablation for lower limb varicose veins and the ablation technique for large diameter veins. Methods We collected retrospective data of 1929 (943 left leg and 986 right leg) clinically incompetent great saphenous vein diameters treated with endovenous laser ablation over five years and six months. The technical success of procedure, complications and occlusion rate at short-term follow-up are reported. Read More

Angiol Sosud Khir 2017;23(3):177-182

Medical Centre 'Akson', Saratov Region, Balakovo, Russia.

The problem regarding treatment of patients suffering from lower limb varicose veins remains a matter of current concern and is important today because of high prevalence of the pathology concerned and a steadily growing number of newly diagnosed cases. Mention should be made that both Russian and foreign phlebologists along with an open surgical operation on veins have more and more often been using minimally invasive endovenous techniques in comprehensive management of patients presenting with varicose veins. The present article is a literature review dedicated to a detailed discussion of two most commonly performed and efficient procedures, namely, radiofrequency ablation of lower limb veins and endovasal laser coagulation. Read More

Expert Rev Med Devices 2017 Oct;14(10):755-762

d Department of Surgery , Jeroen Bosch Hospital , 's-Hertogenbosch , The Netherlands.

Introduction: The treatment of incompetent truncal veins has been innovated by the introduction of minimally invasive non-thermal non-tumescent (NTNT) techniques. One of these consists of the use of cyanoacrylate glue to occlude the vein lumen by means of the VenaSeal device. Areas covered: This expert-review aims to evaluate NTNT ablation of incompetent saphenous trunks using the VenaSeal device. Read More

Vasc Health Risk Manag 2017 10;13:305-309. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Endoluminal laser ablation is now considered the method of choice for treating greater saphenous vein insufficiency. General anesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks with sedation have the risk of post-procedural delay in discharge and prolonged immobilization with the risk of deep vein thrombosis. The main pain experienced by patients during the procedure is during the laser ablation and the multiple needle punctures given along and around the great saphenous vein. Read More

Rev Col Bras Cir 2017 May-Jun;44(3):308-313

Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (FMB-UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brasil.

The endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the insufficient saphenous vein has similar results to open conventional surgery, but less morbidity. The echo-guided polidocanol foam sclerotherapy technique has been used for the same purpose. The combined techniques may play a role for more severe diseases, such as those with varicose ulcers. Read More

Phlebology 2017 12 1;32(10):679-681. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

2 Vascular Service, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.

Rev Med Suisse 2017 Mar;13(554):618-622

Service d'angiologie, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.

Interventional treatment of venous insufficiency has been revolutionized by endovascular techniques. Some of these techniques, and particularly thermal ablation (endovenous laser, radiofrequency) are now recommended as first-line therapy in the latest international guidelines. This is because of less post-operative pain, a shorter leave from employment and similar or lower recurrence rate. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2017 07 12;5(4):525-532. Epub 2017 May 12.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.

Background: The Effect of Surgery and Compression on Healing and Recurrence (ESCHAR) trial previously reported that patients with venous leg ulcers treated with saphenous stripping experienced a significantly reduced incidence of ulcer recurrence compared with patients treated with compression therapy. Most patients with leg ulcers and saphenous insufficiency are currently treated with endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA), but little information is available on the long-term results after EVTA in Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) clinical class 5 (C5) and class 6 (C6) patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all CEAP C5 or C6 patients treated with EVTA to define the incidence of ulcer healing and recurrence. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2017 07 21;5(4):515-523. Epub 2017 Feb 21.

Department of Angiology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.

Objective: Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) is a well-described complication of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). We report our centers' experience on the efficacy (EHIT level ≥2 according to the Kabnick classification) and safety (observed major and minor bleeding events) of rivaroxaban for EHIT prophylaxis in EVLA with and without concomitant phlebectomy.

Methods: Demographic, procedural, and outcome data of all patients with EVLA of the great, accessory, or small saphenous vein and EHIT prophylaxis with 10 mg/d rivaroxaban between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed and analyzed in this investigator-initiated multicenter retrospective observational single-arm study. Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2017 Sep 18;47(10):1353-1363. Epub 2017 May 18.

Image Guided Therapy, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Background: Endovenous laser ablation is well recognized as the first-line treatment for superficial venous reflux with varicose veins in adults. It is not widely reported and is not an established practice in pediatric patients.

Objective: To illustrate a variety of pediatric venous conditions in which endovenous laser ablation can be utilized and to demonstrate its feasibility and safety in children. Read More

Lasers Med Sci 2017 Jul 2;32(5):1105-1110. Epub 2017 May 2.

Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.

Endovenous laser ablation is an effective and minimally invasive alternative to surgical removal of incompetent veins. However, many controversies concerning optimal laser parameters usage in this procedure still remain. The purpose of this experimental study was to assess the adequate parameters required for vein wall destruction and to evaluate the role of fiber pullback velocity on vessel wall degradation. Read More

Phlebology 2018 Jun 25;33(5):321-329. Epub 2017 Apr 25.

Università Campus Bio Medico, Roma, Italy.

Objective Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) - one of the most frequently recommended methods for treating great saphenous vein incompetence - is easy and inexpensive. However, it achieves a lower occlusion rate compared to endovenous thermal ablation. The application of UGFS to pre-terminal great saphenous vein interruption, eliminating the saphenous stem wash out effect, enhances the short-term occlusion rate. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2017 05 6;5(3):339-345. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Department of Surgery, New-Tokyo Hospital, Chiba, Japan.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical results and postoperative complications, especially recanalization or bleeding complications, in patients with saphenous varicose veins undergoing endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) while receiving antithrombotic therapy (ATT).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1136 Japanese patients undergoing EVLA with a 980-nm diode laser between January 2012 and November 2015 at our institution. The patients were divided into two groups: ATT users (ATT group) and nonusers (control group). Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2017 05;5(3):332-338

Division of Vascular Surgery, Spectrum Health Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Objective: Endothermal heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) is a known complication of endothermal venous ablation procedures. EHIT can lead to deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, which cause significant disability and, rarely, death. Other studies have evaluated risk factors for EHIT. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2017 05 6;5(3):321-330. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Inovia Vein Specialty Center, Bend, Ore.

Objective: Endovenous cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) is a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved therapy for treatment of clinically symptomatic venous reflux in saphenous veins. Read More

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2017 05 10;53(5):710-716. Epub 2017 Apr 10.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the mid-term ulcer recurrence rate in patients with healed or active venous ulcers treated with endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for incompetent superficial axial veins and to search for possible risk factors for non-healing and recurrence.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated with EVLA because of a healed or active venous ulcer between 2006 and 2013 were identified in the medical records and quality registry and invited to follow-up, including clinical history, study examination, Duplex ultrasound scanning, ankle brachial pressure, photoplethysmography, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), and health related quality of life (HRQoL) measured with EQ5D. Of 228 patients, 170 (195 legs) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Read More

Surg Today 2017 Nov 7;47(11):1384-1390. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of using the Ginza forceps (DVx, Tokyo, Japan), which have a long shaft and strong grip, for superficial phlebectomy with the stab avulsion technique, during simultaneous endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV).

Methods: The subjects were patients treated with EVLA performed by a single operator at one institution. All patients had a GSV diameter of 4-10 mm and an EVLA length of the GSV of >20 cm. Read More

Aust Fam Physician 2017 ;46(4):229-233

Background: The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence released new guidelines in 2013 recommending that endovenous thermal ablation (laser or radiofrequency) and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy should be offered before conventional surgery for treat-ment of varicose veins and saphenous vein reflux.

Objective: The aim of this article is to provide a synopsis of current international guidelines and recent advances for the treatment of varicose veins.

Discussion: Conventional surgery involving classical high ligation and stripping of the saphenous vein has been standard practice for nearly a century. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2017 20;2017:6167480. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa 1/2 Str., 61-848 Poznań, Poland.

Here we compared effect of serum from varicose patients undergoing endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and classic vein stripping (CVS) on biological properties of endothelial cells and on the local and systemic profiles of proinflammatory agents. Results showed that serum from EVLA patients improved proliferation and reduced senescence and oxidative stress in the endothelial cells, as compared with the serum from CVS patients. These effects were related to a suppressed activity of TGF-1, the level of which in the serum from the EVLA patients was decreased. Read More

Int Angiol 2017 Jun 17;36(3):281-288. Epub 2017 Feb 17.

The Danish Vein Centers and Surgical Center Roskilde, Naestved, Denmark.

Background: This study compares the outcome 5 years after treatment of varicose veins with endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) or high ligation and stripping (HL/S) by assessing technical efficacy, clinical recurrence and the rate of reoperations.

Methods: Five hundred patients (580 legs) with Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) reflux and varicose veins were randomized to one of the 4 treatments. Follow-up included clinical and duplex ultrasound examinations. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2017 03 12;5(2):210-215. Epub 2017 Jan 12.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: The endovenous application of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) is a new nontumescent ablation technique for the treatment of venous insufficiency. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare an NBCA-based ablation method with endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for the management of incompetent great saphenous veins.

Methods: Between May 2013 and August 2014, there were 339 patients with incompetent varicose veins who were treated with either the endovenous application of NBCA (VariClose Vein Sealing System [VVSS]; Biolas, Ankara, Turkey) or EVLA. Read More