SAGE Open Medicine (Aug 2018)

Endovenous Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy of great saphenous vein: A retrospective study with a 3-year follow-up

  • Philippe Quehe,
  • Zarrin Alavi,
  • Tatiana Kurylo-Touz,
  • Anne-Helene Saliou,
  • Ali Badra,
  • Laurent Baudino,
  • Gurven Gladu,
  • Frederik Ledan,
  • Raphaël Haudebourg,
  • Simon Gestin,
  • Luc Bressollette

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118794591
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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Objective: Our main objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy for endovenous treatment of incompetent great saphenous vein. The secondary objectives were to report on possible short-term side effects and complications. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 112 consecutive patients included between 2013 and June 2015. These patients were treated (146 great saphenous vein, C2–C6) either at the hemodynamic room using local anesthesia or at the operating theater under general anesthesia with or without phlebectomy. All patients received radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy at 18 W power, 1 s/cm pullback rate and 5–7 pullbacks per segment of 10 cm (i.e. maximum 10 pullbacks). A clinical follow-up via ultrasound monitoring was done at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. Results: The 3-year survival occlusion rate was 96.71% and 98% for overall and radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy patients, respectively. No major side effects were observed. A case of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis was reported. Slight neurological disorders were reported (0.88%). Conclusion: Our unit’s endovenous Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy of incompetent great saphenous vein was efficient, well tolerated, without major side effects. Moreover, in order to reduce possible neurological disorders, we advise multiple pullbacks at 1 s/cm and using tumescence anesthesia.