Perioperative duplex ultrasound following endothermal ablation of the saphenous vein: is it worthless?

Fifteen years ago, radiofrequency ablation of the saphenous vein was introduced as a new and minimally invasive modality for the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency. Three years later, it was followed by endovenous laser ablation. These procedures have revolutionized the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency and have caused a dramatic shift from a highly invasive and morbid inpatient procedure, to a minimally invasive and ambulatory office procedure. Soon after their introduction, a new clinical entity was identified: endothermal heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT). This terminology, a classification system, and treatment strategies were introduced by Kabnick in 2005. Subsequently, advances in technique, along with the discovery of associated risk factors and a better understanding of the pathophysiologic process of endothermal coagulum formation, have reduced the current incidence of EHIT classes 2-4 to between 1%-2%. Still, a paucity of data exists regarding the true incidence of clinically significant pulmonary embolism secondary to EHIT. The authors believe that the rate is less than 0.01%. Furthermore, successful thermal saphenous ablation efficacy in the perioperative period approaches 99%. Despite these excellent numbers, the standard of care is to obtain a duplex ultrasound to evaluate for the presence of EHIT within the first 1-2 weeks post endovenous thermal ablation. Given this information, the authors believe that performing duplex ultrasound in the perioperative period is wasteful and an inefficacious use of limited health-care resources. Thus, the authors advocate against routine duplex to evaluate treatment efficacy and EHIT presence during the perioperative period in asymptomatic patients.