Endovenous radiofrequency ablation vs laser ablation in patients with lower extremity varicose veins: A meta-analysis

Endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (LA) have been commonly used for treating lower extremity varicose veins (LEVVs). Their therapeutic effects have been widely recognized compared with conventional surgery. However, there have been some controversies regarding the choice between RFA and LA. The objective of our study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the early and long-term outcomes of RFA and LA.

A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify relevant literature on endovenous thermal ablation for primary LEVV up until June 2023. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies involving RFA and LA for LEVV treatment were included. The primary endpoints were the occlusion rate of the great saphenous vein (GSV) and occurrence of venous thrombotic events. Secondary outcomes included nerve injury, hyperpigmentation, burns, recurrence of VVs, postoperative pain, and phlebitis. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software.

A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 16 randomized controlled trials and 13 cohort studies. At 1 month, the occlusion rates of GSV were 98.35% for RFA and 98.04% for LA, whereas at 1 year, the rates were 93.13% for RFA and 94.18% for LA. Subgroup analyses revealed that RFA had higher GSV occlusion rates at 1 year since 2016 (93.27% vs 91.24%; odds ratio [OR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.83; P = .05). The incidence of postoperative venous thrombotic events was 0.78% for RFA and 0.87% for LA at 1 month (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 0.77-2.74; P = .24). RFA showed a reduced risk of burns and ecchymosis (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.48-0.87; P = .005), postprocedural pain (mean difference, -0.85; 95% CI, -1.06 to -0.64; P < .001), recurrence of VVs (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.92; P = .02), and paresthesia since 2016 (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19-0.91; P = .03), but an increased risk of skin pigmentation (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.06-2.9; P = .03) compared with LA therapy. The rate of phlebitis was similar between RFA and LA (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.33-2.27; P = .78).

RFA and LA demonstrated similar efficacy in terms of early and long-term occlusion rates of GSV and the incidence of thrombotic and phlebitis complications. However, since 2016, RFA has shown higher GSV occlusion rates compared with LA. Furthermore, RFA was associated with fewer complications such as paresthesia, burns and ecchymosis, and recurrence of VVs when compared with LA.