A COMPARSION OF ENDOVENOUS LASER THERAPY (EVLT) AND\nRADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION (RFA) FOR THE TREATMENT OF\nVARICOSE VEINS

Abstract

Introduction: Varicose vein is a common medical condition present in at least 1O% of general population. The \uf001ndings\nof varicose veins include dilated and tortuous veins, telangiectasias and \uf001ne reticular varicosities. There are a large\nnumber of complications like longer recovery time and higher recurrence rates with the conventional surgical stripping technique. EVLT and\nRFA are the novel minimally invasive treatment modalities with the advantages of safety, effectiveness and simplicity and leaves no scars. Its\nindication can be extended by combining surgical strategies with improved quality of life. To compare EVLT and various Aims and Objectives:\neffective minimal access methods (RFA) in the treatment of varicose veins and to evaluate cost effectiveness of these techniques. Material and\nMethods: This study of 80 patients of varicose veins treated using laser (EVLT) and Radio frequency generator unit (RFA) with bipolar\napplicator, Doppler and ultrasound machine to map the vein to be treated during procedure, was carried out between January 2019 to September\n2020. Imaging was primarily done using duplex ultrasound as it is easily available, sensitive, non-invasive and relatively cost effective. Results:\nThe study compared EVLT and RFA in terms of time taken for procedure, cost of procedure, response to therapy, complications, recurrence and\nneed for re-intervention, and suggested that EVLT is signi\uf001cant at p<0.05 that suggest signi\uf001cance of EVLT over RFA. In our study the\nrecurrence rate was with EVLT (5.00%) and with RFA (22.5%),Hospital stay was less with EVLT (mean-1days) followed by RFA (mean1.3days). Cost-effectiveness of different treatment modalities in our study calculated by cost ratio, the Cost Ratio in EVLT and RFA found 1:1.13\nsuggesting cost effectivness of EVLT over RFA. . In terms of reduced postoperative Conclusions: pain, shorter sick leave, a faster resumption of\nthe normal activities, and, in particular, the total absence of DVT, we can conclude that EVL is a good solution for all patients with anatomic and\nhemodinamic patterns for saphenous vein surgery.Treating full length of GSV is associated with less residual symptoms. Also small basic\nmodi\uf001cations in instrumentation can make big differences in the cost of the therapy.EVLT have more success rate in comparison to RFA. And\nmore ef\uf001cient mode of treatment because of higher elimination of junctional re\uf002ux, higher occlusion & ulcer healing rate.