One-year results of fifty consecutive patients treated with mechanochemical ablation of great and small saphenous vein

Objectives: Mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) and the small saphenous vein (SSV) is an alternative to thermal ablation for the treatment of superficial venous reflux. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of MOCA for the treatment of incompetent GSV and SSV.

Material and methods: We included 50 patients (60 legs) with incompetent GSV or SSV. Patients were aged 22-71 years, with median age of 41 years. Diameters of the saphenous veins treated were 4-16 mm, with median diameter 9 mm. Lengths of incompetent segments of the GSVs were 20-45 cm, with median length 36 cm. Lengths of incompetent segments of the SSVs were 12-25 cm, with median length 17 cm. We performed venous ablation using the ClariVein device with simultaneous injection of 2% polidocanol in the dose of 0.2 ml per cm of the treated vein. All patients completed 12 months follow-up.

Results: In all patients the procedure resulted in complete occlusion of the incompetent segment of the saphenous vein. Additional foam sclerotherapy was needed in 41 legs (68.3%). After 12 months partial or complete recanalisation was revealed in one GSV and 3 SSVs. The remaining veins (93.3%) were completely occluded. During the procedure we observed transient signs of polidocanol toxicity in 2 patients.

Conclusions: MOCA using the ClariVein device is a safe method for ablation of incompetent truncal veins in patients who prefer to be managed quickly, without pain and with satisfactory results after 1 year.