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Published in: Surgery Today 7/2013

01-07-2013 | Original Article

Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein with the ClosureFAST™ procedure: mid-term experience on 400 patients from a single centre

Authors: Valerio S. Tolva, Lea V. Cireni, Paolo G. Bianchi, Almarosa Lombardo, Guido C. Keller, Renato M. Casana

Published in: Surgery Today | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Introduction

Endovascular obliteration of the great saphenous vein (GSV) has been proposed as an alternative to conventional extirpative treatment of varicose veins.

Materials and methods

This report reviewed the initial experience with the ClosureFAST™ procedure in 407 legs over a one-year period. Occlusion of the GSV was seen on 98 % of completion scans and in all patients within 1 week of the procedure. Persistent occlusion was documented in all cases. One had paresthesias and one had skin pigmentation. Three patients had transient superficial thrombophlebitis in a treated segment of a superficial collateral of the GSV. One patient was found to have extension of an asymptomatic, nonocclusive thrombus into the common femoral vein 1 week after the procedure.

Conclusion

Radiofrequency ablation of the GSV appears to be a safe alternative to conventional stripping and ligation. Randomised clinical trials and longer follow-up periods are required to establish the overall superiority of the procedure in comparison to conventional stripping.
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Metadata
Title
Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein with the ClosureFAST™ procedure: mid-term experience on 400 patients from a single centre
Authors
Valerio S. Tolva
Lea V. Cireni
Paolo G. Bianchi
Almarosa Lombardo
Guido C. Keller
Renato M. Casana
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Surgery Today / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-1291
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-012-0296-4

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