Vasc Spec Int.  2021 Mar;37(1):14-21. 10.5758/vsi.210006.

Stump Length Changes after Endovenous Cyanoacrylate Closure or Radiofrequency Ablation for Saphenous Vein Incompetence

• Ko H
• Min S
• Ahn S
• Han A
• Kim J
• Min SK

• KMID: 2514647
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5758/vsi.210006

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to analyze changes in stump length over time in patients with saphenous vein incompetence treated with cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data collected from patients with saphenous vein incompetence who underwent either CAC or RFA at Seoul National University Hospital between November 2015 and December 2018. The stump lengths were measured using duplex ultrasonography (DUS) within 1 month and 6 months after treatment. The Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) score were used to assess clinical outcomes.
Results
A total of 97 veins (64 great saphenous veins and 33 small saphenous veins) were analyzed. The stump length was not significantly different between the two groups at <1 month (P=0.311). However, the stump length in the CAC group was significantly longer than that in the RFA group at 6 months (P=0.004).At 6 months, the mean change in stump length was 1.41±2.28 cm in the CAC group and 0.51±0.54 cm in the RFA group (P=0.006). The VCSSs and AVVQ scores significantly improved after both procedures but were not significantly different between the two groups.
Conclusion
DUS at 6 months after treatment showed that the stump length in the CAC group increased more than that in the RFA group. No other factors affected the changes in stump length.

Keyword

Radiofrequency ablation; Glues; Varicose veins; Recurrence; Duplex ultrasonography