Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Radiofrequency ablation: an assessment of clinical and cost efficacy

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Varicose veins are common and frequently cause patient distress. In recent years, Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open venous ligation surgery.

Aims

The aim of this study was to directly compare RFA and open saphenofemoral ligation.

Methods

This was a single-centre retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients undergoing surgical management over a 2-year period commencing from January 2011 were studied. Radiological success, peri-operative serological testing and hospital length of stay were documented. Procedural cost was calculated. A focused cohort analysis was undertaken to compare the initial 50 RFA procedures performed with the last 50.

Results

During the study period, 296 patients underwent surgical intervention. A total of 204 patients underwent RFA. Sixty-six percent of all patients were female. RFA was associated with a reduction in overnight hospital stay (18 vs. 78 %, P = <0.001) when compared with open ligation with a success rate of 98 %. No significant inter-group difference was noted for 30-day readmission (p = 0.203). Focused cohort analysis identified an increase in hospital day case activity (74 vs. 90 %, p = 0.002), which contributed to a reduction in procedural cost (€1,024 vs. €971, p = 0.003) over the study period.

Conclusions

Radiofrequency ablation is a viable alternative to open repair offering excellent efficacy. It is however associated with a higher procedural cost than the open surgical option.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Evans C, Lee A, Fowkes F, Ruckley C (1999) Prevalence of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency in men and women in the general population: Edinburgh Vein Study. J Epidemiol Community Health 53(3):149–153

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Kurz X, Lamping DL, Kahn SR et al (2001) Do varicose veins affect quality of life? Results of an international population-based study. J Vasc Surg 34:641–648

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Moore W (2006) Vascular and endovascular surgery: a comprehensive review. Saunders, Elsevier, 7th edn, p. 857

  4. Subramonia S, Lees T (2010) Randomized clinical trial of radiofrequency ablation or conventional high ligation and stripping for great saphenous varicose veins. Br J Surg 97(3):328–336

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Rasmussen LH, Lawaetz M, Bjoern L, Vennits B, Blemings A, Eklof B (2011) Randomized clinical trial comparing endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy and surgical stripping for great saphenous varicose veins. Br J Surg 98(8):1079–1087

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) (2013) Portal data. ESRI, Ireland

  7. Edwards AG, Baynham S, Lees T, Mitchell DC (2009) Management of varicose veins: a survey of current practice by members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 91(1):77–80

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Lurie F, Creton D, Eklof B et al (2003) Prospective randomized study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration (closure procedure) versus ligation and stripping in a selected patient population (EVOLVeS Study). J Vasc Surg 38(2):207–214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Lurie F, Creton D, Eklof B et al (2005) Prospective randomised study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration (closure) versus ligation and vein stripping (EVOLVeS): 2-year follow-up. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 29(1):67–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Merchant RF, Pichot O (2005) Long-term outcomes of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration of saphenous reflux as a treatment for superficial venous insufficiency. J Vasc Surg 42:502e9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bisang U, Meier TO, Enzler M, Thalhammer C, Husmann M, Amann-Vesti BR (2012) Results of endovenous ClosureFast treatment for varicose veins in an outpatient setting. Phlebology 27(3):118–123

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Subramonia S, Lees T (2010) Radiofrequency ablation vs conventional surgery for varicose veins—a comparison of treatment costs in a randomised trial. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 39(1):104–111

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Guideline Development Group (2013) Varicose veins in the legs. The diagnosis and management of varicose veins. Clinical guideline. Methods, evidence and recommendations. National Clinical Guidance Centre, commissioned by the National Institute of Care and Health Excellence

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Vascular Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont Road, Dublin 9, Ireland

    T. Aherne, S. M. McHugh, W. Tashkandi, J. Byrne, Y. Aljabi, D. Moneley, A. Leahy & P. Naughton

Authors
  1. T. Aherne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. M. McHugh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. Tashkandi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Byrne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. Aljabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. D. Moneley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. A. Leahy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. P. Naughton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. Aherne.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aherne, T., McHugh, S.M., Tashkandi, W. et al. Radiofrequency ablation: an assessment of clinical and cost efficacy. Ir J Med Sci 185, 107–110 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-014-1229-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-014-1229-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation