[Steam ablation of varicose veins 5 years later]

Abstract

Endovenous treatment has become the treatment of choice for patients with saphenous varicose veins (great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein). Current thermal treatment modalities are endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation and steam ablation. These treatments work by heating the vein, causing the vessel to become occluded. These thermal treatment methods require tumescent anaesthesia. The outstanding effectiveness of laser and radiofrequency ablation has now been demonstrated in countless randomised trials and meta-analyses. Steam ablation seems to be just as effective as the other thermal treatment methods, but there is less pain afterwards. Since the treatment is not reimbursed, steam ablation is currently not used in the Netherlands.