New evidence suggests that minimally invasive methods to ablate superficial venous reflux in patients with end-stage venous insufficiency are as effective as traditional open venous stripping.
That is the conclusion of a research study reported in the July issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery Venous and Lymphatic Disorders. The report is available for free online through August.
Approximately 20 percent of the 2.5 million Americans with chronic venous insufficiency develop venous ulceration, researchers said. The condition can delay healing, can reoccur and can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina retrospectively evaluated the results of endovenous thermal ablation performed on 173 limbs with advanced venous insufficiency.
The group found "ulcer healing and recurrence rates appear similar to those of patients treated with surgical stripping." Recurrence was less common in patients with isolated superficial insufficiency as well as those who had phlebectomy performed at the time of the procedure.
"Consideration should be given to adding phlebectomy of varicose veins to the initial procedure, particularly if they are directly related to the site of ulceration," said lead researcher Dr. William Marston.
Read more at vsweb.org/ulcer717.