One-year outcomes of radiofrequency ablation of incompetent perforator veins using the radiofrequency stylet device: Cohort study from East Asia

Abstract

Objectives The present study was designed to assess outcomes of patients undergone radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for their incompetent perforator veins (IPVs) with ClosureFast stylets. Methods Data of 165 IPVs in 138 limbs of 117 consecutive patients between July 2017 to Nov. 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Primary endpoints (technical success rate, complications) and secondary endpoints (VCSS) were analyzed. Results The immediate technical success rate was 100%. There were no major complications. The rate of ecchymosis and induration was 5.8%. 129/165 IPVs in 79.5% (93/117) patients had achieved sonographic evaluation at 1 year followed-up, in which 3 perforators were recanalized. VCSS scores at pre-operation and 1-year follow-up were 5.77 ± 1.88 and 2.70 ± 1.39, respectively ( t= 29.644, P= .000). Conclusions In conclusion, RFA is safe and effective for the treatment of IPVs. At the 1-year follow-up, the RFA of IPVs showed a low recanalization rate and had a satisfactory improvement on VCSS.