Comparison Between Trendelenburg with Stripping and Radiofrequency Ablation of the Great Saphenous Vein for the Management of Primary Varicose Veins

Dr. Gh. Mustafa Dar; Dr. P. P. Sharma; Dr. Ajay Chauhan; Dr. F. S. Mehta

Volume : IX, Issue : III, March - 2020

Comparison Between Trendelenburg with Stripping and Radiofrequency Ablation of the Great Saphenous Vein for the Management of Primary Varicose Veins

Dr. Gh. Mustafa Dar, Dr. P. P. Sharma, Dr. Ajay Chauhan, Dr. F. S. Mehta

Abstract :

Introduction : Varicose veins are most common in the superficial veins of the legs, which are subject to high pressure when standing. Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins often itch and are painful, especially when standing or walking. Though varicose veins rarely present with an acute emergency or life threatening complication, symptoms like dragging sensation, heaviness, pain, bleeding, ulceration or lipodermatosclerosis require an active intervention to get relief from the disease. A new approach to management of saphenous vein reflux is endovascular obliteration of the vein with a radiofrequency generated heating probe placed through a percutaneous puncture or mini incision in the calf. The procedure is less invasive and may, therefore result in shorter convalescence and ability to resume work sooner, thus reducing the costs of the productivity. Any alternative technique to high ligation and stripping must ideally have the same or better outcome but without the associated morbidity. Aims And Objectives: To assess and compare the efficacy of Trendelenburg and Stripping with RFA of GSV for the management of primary varicose veins in Indian setup. Materials And Methods: Patients divided into two– Ligation–Stripping(LS) group (n=30) and; Radiofrequency Ablation(RFA) group (n=30). Patients were given a questionnaire (Likert‘s questionnaire) consisting of six questions to fill on postoperative day 3, 7, 28 and at 90 days. Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation of GSV for the treatment of varicose veins, is as effective as High ligation and stripping. The two procedures are comparable in terms of quality of life indicators, postoperatively, but the cost of RFA procedure is almost 3 times higher than the LS procedure of GSV