The clinical outcomes of endovenous microwave and laser ablation for varicose veins: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the clinical outcomes of endovenous microwave ablation and endovenous laser ablation for varicose veins.

METHODS

A total of 139 patients who underwent endovenous microwave ablation and 145 patients who underwent endovenous laser ablation were included in this multicenter study. The clinical outcomes and complications were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. The effect on quality of life was assessed by the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire and the EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The endovenous microwave ablation group had a shorter procedure time than the endovenous laser ablation group (42.58 ± 15.62 minutes vs 65.46 ± 24.38 minutes, P < .01), and no significant differences were observed in the other procedure parameters. The incidences of induration (20.26% vs 31.06%) and ecchymosis (13.07% vs 22.98%, P < .05) were lower in the endovenous microwave ablation group. The rates of temporary paresthesia (9.80% vs 18.01%) and residual varicosities (8.61% vs 16.77%, P < .05) were lower in the endovenous microwave ablation group at 1 month. There were no significant differences in paresthesia or saphenous vein closure rates between the groups at 6 and 12 months. Both groups had significant improvements in their Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire and EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire scores post-procedure, and no significant differences in Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire and EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire scores were confirmed. However, local recurrence below the knee was lower in the endovenous microwave ablation group (2.34% vs 8.46%, P < .05) after 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirmed that the endovenous microwave ablation procedure demonstrated a shorter procedure time, lower complication, and local recurrence than the endovenous laser ablation procedure.