Objective: To identify the anatomical and clinical parameters that predict lack of regression of superficial varicosities after ablation of the great saphenous vein.
Methods: Symptomatic patients treated with endovenous ablation from August 2006 to July 2013, by a single surgeon, were included. Recorded parameters included age, sex, size, and extent of varicosities (class I-IV) (patient standing), and diameter and length (patient supine) of treated great saphenous vein. Varicose vein classification was defined as: class I ≤6 mm and localized to thigh or leg, class II ≤6 mm and present in the thigh and leg (extensive), class III >6 mm and localized to the thigh or leg, and class IV >6 mm and extensive. "Excellent" results were defined as complete resolution of varicosities, "good" results as incomplete resolution, and "poor" results as no improvement.
Results: A total of 267 patients and 302 consecutive limbs were included in the study. There were 175 females (65.5%), and the mean age was 54 years old (22-92). The CEAP classification was as follows: C2 (81.5%), C3 (6.3%), C4 (7.9%), C5 (2.0%), and C6 (2.3%). Great saphenous vein diameters was significantly larger in patients with C3-C6 (proximal 0.84 ± 0.25 versus 0.65 ± 0.21, p = < 0.0001, distal 0.58 ± 0.18 versus 0.44 ± 0.13, p < 0.0001) or class III-IV varicose veins (proximal 0.85 ± 0.25 versus 0.75 ± 0.27, p = 0.012, distal 0.62 ± 0.62 versus 0.50 ± 0.17, p < 0.0001). Class III-IV limbs had a "good/poor" result 69.8% of the time, as compared to 51.9% of the limbs class I-II varicose veins (p = 0.002).
Conclusions: Advanced chronic venous disease (C3-C6) patients have larger diameter great saphenous veins, reflecting the progressive nature of the disease. Patients with more severe varicosities regardless of CEAP class were more likely to require a secondary procedure. The severity of the varicosities may not correlate with the degree of venous disease, but it is an indication of which patients should undergo secondary procedures, possibly with a one-stage approach.
Keywords: Endovenous laser therapy; endovenous ablation; microphlebectomy; sclerotherapy; varicose vein.
© The Author(s) 2014.