Study on the Efficacy of Radiofrequency and Laser Ablation in the Treatment of Superficial Varicose Veins in the Lower Extremities

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (EVLA) in the treatment of superficial varicose veins of the lower extremities. Methods: Seventy-eight patients with superficial varicose veins treated at a hospital between April 2022 and May 2023 were selected and divided into a radiofrequency ablation group (RFA group; 39 cases) and a laser ablation group (EVLA group; 39 cases) based on the treatment method. Operation time, postoperative recovery duration, venous clinical severity score (VCSS) changes, complication rates, closure rates, and recurrence rates were compared between the groups at 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. The postoperative therapeutic outcomes were comprehensively evaluated. Results: No significant differences in age, gender, disease grade, or disease course were observed between the groups (P > 0.05). The superficial varicose vein closure rate was 100% in both groups at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. At 12 months, the closure rate was 94.87% in the RFA group and 97.43% in the EVLA group, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in VCSS changes or complication incidence between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety in the treatment of superficial varicose veins of the lower extremities.