Diagnostic et traitement des varices des membres inférieurs - KCE
Diagnostic et traitement des varices des membres inférieurs - KCE
Diagnostic et traitement des varices des membres inférieurs - KCE
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10 Varicose Veins <strong>KCE</strong> Reports 164<br />
1.5.2 Endovenous Laser Therapy<br />
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins. The<br />
procedure involves introduction of a laser fibre into the lumen of the saphenous vein,<br />
followed by the application of laser energy which <strong>des</strong>troys the vein wall after local<br />
injection of fluid to cause tumescence around the treated vein. The fibre and cath<strong>et</strong>er<br />
are slowly withdrawn and the vein lumen collapses, occluding the length of the vein and<br />
abolishing venous reflux 33 .<br />
1.5.3 Radiofrequency Ablation<br />
A similar technique to EVLT is radiofrequency ablation (RFA).<br />
A heat-generating cath<strong>et</strong>er inserted into the vein emits radio-frequency wavelengths for<br />
ablation 33 . After tumescent injection, the cath<strong>et</strong>er is heated and slowly withdrawn down<br />
the length of the vein, causing contraction of the vein wall and, ultimately, <strong>des</strong>truction of<br />
the vessel 29, 34 .<br />
1.5.4 Sclerotherapy<br />
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosing agent (polidocanol) into the varicose vein,<br />
which triggers an inflammatory reaction in the endothelium, causing phlebitis and vein<br />
occlusion 35 .<br />
Foam sclerotherapy mixes the liquid sclerosant with gas to create a larger surface area<br />
by displacing blood within the vein 36 . Foam sclerotherapy can be used for treating the<br />
GSV or the SSV or to treat the tributaries. The dose is adapted to the diam<strong>et</strong>er of the<br />
treated vein.<br />
1.5.5 Mixed treatments<br />
In practice, many surgeons perform a mix of treatments such as surgical ligation and<br />
stripping combined with sclerotherapy or EVLT combined with sclerotherapy.