Safety and Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation for Varicose Veins: An Initial Experience from Pakistan.

Abstract

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for varicose veins. Observational case series. Section of Vascular Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September 2016 to August 2018. Data of RFA procedures performed on 40 patients were collected on a questionnaire from the medical records. It included patients' demographics, pre- and postoperative clinical, etiological, anatomical and pathological (CEAP) system score, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), procedural details and intra- or postoperative complications. Outcome measures were 'safety of the procedure, which was measured by presence of any complications; and 'efficacy of the procedure' which was measured by improvements in the CEAP and VCSS score. The mean age of the patients was 44.7±11.5 years. Twenty-one (52.5%) patients were women. Preoperative median VCSS [range] was 7 [2-15], which improved to 1 [0-3] (p <0.001). Preoperative median CEAP [range] was 3 [2-6] and improved to 1 [0-4] (p <0.001). One patient had recurrence and five patients (12.5%) had minor complications, which were treated conservatively. RFA in patients with symptomatic varicose veins can be performed with minimal complications. This modality is also effective in reducing the disease severity.