To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency induced thermotherapy (RFiTT) combined with transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TIPP) in treatment of lower limb varicose veins (VVs) in comparison with high ligation and stripping (HLS) combined with TIPP.
The patients with lower limb VVs were randomly divided into RFiTT combined with TIPP group or HLS combined with TIPP group. The primary endpoint was the total closure rate of great saphenous vein (GSV) at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ-14) scores changes at 12 months and perioperative complications.
The total closure rate of GSV at 12 months was slightly lower with RFiTT Group (90.9%, 90/99) than that with HLS Group (97.0%, 98/101), but not statistically significantly (χ=0.068, P=0.08). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, duration in hospital, duration in bed, resumption of activities was statistically significantly better with RFiTT than with HLS. There were no significantly differences between the two groups in DVT, phlebitis, haematomas, pain and infection. But skin pigmentation and paresthesia were statistically significantly better with RFiTT than with HLS. At 12 months, both groups showed similar improvement from baseline in VCSS scores (1.28±0.57 in RFiTT group vs. 1.33±0.61 in HLS group) and CIVIQ-14 scores (67.32±1.29 in RFiTT group vs. 67.45±1.32 in HLS group), however, neither group was superior to the other.
RFiTT combined with TIPP is an effective treatment method for lower limb VVs, and had a more satisfactory clinical outcome in surgical data, skin pigmentation and paresthesia than HLS at the 12 months follow up.

Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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