Ji-Chang Wang1, Yan Li2, Guang-Yue Li3, Yi Xiao4, Wei-Ming Li2, Qiang Ma5, Jian-Lin Liu2, Shao-Ying Lu6. 1. Department of Vascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China; Center for Translational Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China. 2. Department of Vascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China. 3. Department of Science and Technology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China. 4. Department of Ultrasonic Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China. 5. Peripheral Vascular Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China. 6. Department of Vascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Number 277, Western Yanta Road, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710061, China. Electronic address: robertlu@mail.xjtu.edu.cn.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of patients who received simultaneous tributary endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or foam sclerotherapy (FS) with EVLA of the great saphenous vein (GSV) trunk. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study recruited 418 patients (542 legs) with diagnosed varicose veins. Patients in the EVLA/FS group (255 patients, 327 legs) received concomitant FS for the tributaries with truncal lasering. For the EVLA-alone group (163 patients, 215 legs), tributaries (8W) were ablated with EVLA in addition to the GSV trunk (14W). Complications, Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ), EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire (EQ-5D), numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, and condition of residual varicosities were assessed at 3 days, 4 weeks, and 6 months after procedure. All residual varicosities were identified and treated with a staged FS at 6 months. RESULTS: Except for ecchymosis, incidence of other complications was not significantly different between both groups at 6 months. Pain NRS scores of the EVLA/FS group were remarkably elevated at 4 weeks and then, at 6 months, declined to a level similar to the EVLA-alone group. The EVLA/FS group exhibited more significant improvement in both AVVQ and EQ-5D scales than the EVLA group at 6 months, while exhibiting poor improvement at 4 weeks. The EVLA/FS group had a significantly lower rate of residual varicosities than the EVLA group, thus reducing the need for the staged FS. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the feasibility and safety of simultaneous tributary EVLA and FS. In addition, they indicate better early quality-of-life improvement and a reduced reoperation rate of simultaneously combined truncal EVLA and tributary FS.
PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of patients who received simultaneous tributary endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or foam sclerotherapy (FS) with EVLA of the great saphenous vein (GSV) trunk. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study recruited 418 patients (542 legs) with diagnosed varicose veins. Patients in the EVLA/FS group (255 patients, 327 legs) received concomitant FS for the tributaries with truncal lasering. For the EVLA-alone group (163 patients, 215 legs), tributaries (8W) were ablated with EVLA in addition to the GSV trunk (14W). Complications, Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ), EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire (EQ-5D), numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, and condition of residual varicosities were assessed at 3 days, 4 weeks, and 6 months after procedure. All residual varicosities were identified and treated with a staged FS at 6 months. RESULTS: Except for ecchymosis, incidence of other complications was not significantly different between both groups at 6 months. Pain NRS scores of the EVLA/FS group were remarkably elevated at 4 weeks and then, at 6 months, declined to a level similar to the EVLA-alone group. The EVLA/FS group exhibited more significant improvement in both AVVQ and EQ-5D scales than the EVLA group at 6 months, while exhibiting poor improvement at 4 weeks. The EVLA/FS group had a significantly lower rate of residual varicosities than the EVLA group, thus reducing the need for the staged FS. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the feasibility and safety of simultaneous tributary EVLA and FS. In addition, they indicate better early quality-of-life improvement and a reduced reoperation rate of simultaneously combined truncal EVLA and tributary FS.