One Year Follow-Up of Endovascular Microwave Ablation and Concomitant Foam Sclerotherapy in the Treatment of Primary Small Saphenous Vein Insufficiency

Abstract

In the last decade, the microwave ablation (MWA) catheter specifically for treating lower extremity varicose veins has become popular. However, imited data is available on the efficacy, analysis, and evaluation of endovenous microwave ablation (EMWA) in treating SSV insufficiency. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and 1-year outcomes of endovenous microwave ablation and concomitant foam sclerotherapy of primary small saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency. Our team carried out a single-center, retrospective analysis of 24 patients treated with endovenous microwave ablation and concomitant foam sclerotherapy for primary SSV insufficiency. All operations were performed using a microwave ablation catheter and polidocanol for the trunk and branches of the SSV, respectively. The SSV occlusion rate was assessed at the 6- and 12-month follow-up examinations using duplex ultrasound. Secondary outcomes included the Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, Pathophysiological (CEAP) clinical class; Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS); Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ); periprocedural pain; and complications. 100% of the cases have been technically successful. At the 6-month follow-up, all treated SSVs were occluded. The 12-month assessment duplex doppler showed anatomical success in patients with 95.8% (95% confidence interval, 0.756-0.994). The CEAP clinical class, VCSS, and the AVVQ had decreased significantly at the 6-, and 12-month follow-up, respectively. Endovenous microwave ablation and concomitant foam sclerotherapy is a feasible and effective technique for treating SSV insufficiency.