Authors' recommendations: During 2014, approximately 1300 patients in Region Västra Götaland underwent invasive interventions for symptomatic varicose veins. Today, conventional surgery, as outpatient surgery, in general anaesthesia is used for most patients with varicose veins. Endovenous treatment modalities include endothermal ablation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) and require no operating theatre or general anaesthesia. The use of endovenous techniques can free operating theatre resources, but are not always applicable. Endothermal ablation procedures constituted approximately 25% of all invasive interventions for symptomatic varicose veins during 2014 in Region Västra Götaland. Results of endothermal ablation may be similar to those of surgery at short- and medium-term follow-up. The results of endovenous techniques are promising but the critical outcome symptomatic recurrence is not studied and long-term (5 – 10 years) results are lacking. Severe adverse events are rare. The frequency with which endovenous techniques can be used for primary and secondary treatment of patients with symptomatic varicose veins is not defined, but can be estimated to approximately 40%. Health economic analyses show uncertain but probably small differences in costs and benefits between the techniques.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for additional information: http://www.sahlgrenska.se/sv/SU/Forskning/HTA-centrum/Hogerkolumn-undersidor/Publicerade-rapporter/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Organisation Name: The Regional Health Technology Assessment Centre

Contact Address: The Regional Health Technology Assessment Centre, Region Vastra Gotaland, HTA-centrum, Roda Straket 8, Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset, 413 45 GOTHENBORG, Sweden

Contact Name: hta-centrum@vgregion.se

Contact Email: hta-centrum@vgregion.se

Copyright: The Regional Health Technology Assessment Centre (HTA-centrum), Region Vastra Gotaland