Treatment of anterior saphenous vein incompetence with mechanochemical endovenous ablation.
Marianne E Witte, Suzanne Holewijn, Michel M P J Reijnen et al.
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In 30 seconds
This prospective, single-centre registry assessed mechanochemical endovenous ablation (MOCA) for symptomatic anterior saphenous vein (ASV) incompetence in 30 patients. Technical success was achieved in 93.3% (28/30), and 30-day anatomical success was 96.3%, with median VCSS improving from 5.0 to 3.0. At 12 months, complete occlusion was observed in 82.6% of evaluable patients. Minor complications occurred in 25.0%, and one deep vein thrombosis was recorded. The findings suggest MOCA is feasible and may improve clinical outcomes, but the authors call for larger studies with longer follow-up.
Key findings
- Technical success was achieved in 93.3% (28/30) of patients.
- At 30 days, anatomical success was 96.3%, and median VCSS improved from 5.0 to 3.0.
- At 12 months, complete occlusion was observed in 82.6%, partial in 4.3%, and no occlusion in 13.0% of evaluable patients.
- Minor complications occurred in 25.0%; one deep vein thrombosis was recorded.
Why it matters
ASV incompetence is a treatment target for which the safety and effectiveness of MOCA have been uncertain. This registry provides early clinical and ultrasound outcomes, including symptom-score improvement and 12-month occlusion data. These results add evidence about a non-thermal approach, while the observed complications and incomplete occlusion underscore the need to interpret outcomes cautiously.
What to keep in mind
The study was a prospective, single-centre registry with 30 patients. Twelve-month ultrasound data were available for 25 patients, with evaluable data in 23, and the authors state that larger studies with longer follow-up are warranted.