Combined Endovenous Laser and Mechanochemical Ablation to Reduce Sclerosant for Three or Four Veins with Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

Background: A large amount of sclerosant is needed for the treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency with mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) for three or four veins with chronic venous insufficiency. In addition, what constitutes a safe amount is not clearly defined. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of the combined endovenous laser and mechanochemical ablation to reduce the amount of sclerosant as compared with mechanochemical ablation monotherapy. Methods: A total of 327 patients diagnosed with superficial vein insufficiency between June 2018 and May 2020 and treated in a single center by one surgeon were evaluated retrospectively. There were 130 patients included who were treated with mechanochemical ablation (MOCA, Group I) and 197 patients who were treated with combined endovenous laser ablation and mechanochemical ablation (EVLA and MOCA, Group II). Results: The amount of sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STD) used per number of limbs was 5.5 ± 2.05 mL in Group I and 4.51 ± 1.2 mL in Group II (p < 0.001). The amount of STD used per number of veins was 4.77 ± 1.91 mL versus 3.12 ± 1.02 mL in Groups I and II, respectively, (p < 0.001). Recanalization rates within 52 weeks were 0% (0/130) in Group I and 5.58% (11/197) in Group II, while after 52 weeks they were 2.31% (3/130) in Group I and 6.60% (13/197) Group II and were not statistically significant. Complications within 4 weeks were 3.84% and 7.11% in Groups I and II, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study show that combined EVLA and MOCA reduces the amount of sclerosant per the number of veins and legs treated as compared with MOCA monotherapy for three or four veins with chronic venous insufficiency. The combined EVLA and MOCA treatment in patients with three or four varicose veins has few side effects, reduces the amount of sclerotic agent, and can be considered to be an effective treatment method for inducing venous occlusion.