Early Results of Mechanochemical Ablation by Flebogrif and Radiofrequency Ablation in Treating Primary Varicose Veins of Lower Limb

Introduction Chronic venous insufficiency is a common condition that leads to the development of incompetent great or short saphenous veins (GSV or SSV) resulting in varicose vein development. Conservative management is initially employed for its treatment; however, the varicosities that do not respond to conservative management may require intervention by surgery or endovenous routes. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) are the two most common endovascular techniques available for the management of incompetent GSV or SSV. Clarivein and Flebogrif are two devices to treat incompetent GSV or SSV by MOCA. Mechanical ablation is provided by their flexible cutting elements and chemical ablation is provided by polidocanol or sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS). RFA uses radiofrequency waves to treat venous insufficiency. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the early treatment outcome results for incompetent GSV or SSV treated with RFA or MOCA by Flebogrif. Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study undertaken at the Radiology Department of Indus Hospital and Health Network. Electronic Medical Records of all the patients who underwent RFA or MOCA for GSV or SSV for venous insufficiency from January 2021 to December 2021 were included. Both male and female patients aged 18 years and above diagnosed with venous insufficiency having Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathophysiologic (CEAP) scores of >1 were included. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for data entry and analysis.Results137 patients were included in the present study with a mean age of 53.8 +/- 12.1 years. Pre-procedure CEAP score was C3 in 59 (84.4%), C4 in four (5.7%), and C6 in seven (10.0%) patients in patients who underwent RFA, and it was successful in 69 (98.6%) patients. Pre-procedure CEAP score was C3 in 62 (92.5%), C4 in two (3.0%), and C6 in three (4.5%) patients who underwent MOCA, and it was successful in 59 (88.1%) patients. Pain was the most frequent complication observed in both RFA and MOCA.Conclusion RFA has a high success rate as compared to MOCA by Flebogrif in treating incompetent GSV or SSVs.