A Comparative Study between Radio Frequency Ablation and Laser Therapy in the Treatment and Management of Varicose Veins

ABSTRACT

Various studies have recorded the comparison of use of both surgical techniques endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of varicose veins. However, it is still not clear that which technique out of these two methods is more effective and useful for the treatment of varicose veins is more effective. Therefore the present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of EVLA and RFA in the treatment of varicose veins. Methods: Hundred patients, with symptomatic great saphenous vein deficiency in both lower extremities were enrolled in this study. Patients’ ages ranged between 29 and 64. Two groups were made group 1 ELVA consisting of fifty patients and group II RFA consisting of fifty patients. A 12 W diode laser source with a wavelength of 1470 nm and radial fiber were used for EVLA. Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure was applied to the saphenous vein in the form of 25 W every 0.5 cm from the distal aspect of the saphenofemoral junction. Results: Pain score (inter-operative) was 1.7 ± 0.8 for ELVA group while 1.8 ± 0.9 for RFA group which was insignificant (p>0.05). Further, there was a significant lesser postoperative pain score in ELVA group (1.2 ± 0.6/ d) compare to RFA group (1.4 ± 0.8/ d) with p <0.05. There was an insignificant difference between the post-operative analgesic requirement of both groups (800 ± 150 mg/d vs 900 ± 200 mg/d, p>0.05). In addition a significantly less time duration to start post-operative activity was recorded in ELVA group (22 ± 4.5 hrs) in comparison of RFA group (28 ± 5.2 hrs) with p value <0.05. Conclusion: Finding of the present study showed that success rate of both techniques in the treatment of varicose veins was almost similar. However, there was significantly better patients’ satisfaction along with lesser post-operative complications in EVLA group compare to RFA group. Therefore, we conclude that ELVA method EVLA at a wavelength of 1470 nm and using radial fibre is superior to RFA technique.