Our experience with vein and hemorrhoid surgery 14 months after introducing microwave thermoablation

BACKGROUND: In the last 15-20 years, traditional venous surgical procedures have been supplemented in the early period by thermal radiofrequency techniques, followed by laser technologies, and now the Microwave methods.METHODS: Between December 2018 and December 2019, in 20 patients (CEAP III-VI) we used Microwave Vein Ablation System (ECO) for surgery on one limb, treating the other limb with surgery performed with the laser (Biolitec) EVLA technique. Description of Duplex Control UH has been made for all surgeries. At 2 weeks postoperatively, a questionnaire was completed to determine the outcome of the two limbs (pain, tightness, bleeding, sensory disturbance) and to indicate possible lateral differences. Between August 2019 and February 2020, another 20 patients (surgery of both feet in 9 patients) underwent surgery of 29 feet (CEAP IV-VI) with Microwave technique. Between December 2018 and February 2020, we performed 14 laser and 12 microwave hemorrhoids ablatio surgery in 26 patients. In this surgical procedure, similar to venous patients, we compare the effectiveness not to the traditional surgical solution but to laser ablation.RESULTS: In the case of the first 20 patients, the effectiveness of the two limbs was determined on the basis of the ultrasound finding and the patient’s physical signs: pain, tightness, bleeding, sensory disturbance. For both methods, 100% closure without reflux in the two- and 12-week and already one-year cases was not significant in either parameter in the early period between the two methods. In the second 20 patients, this did not change significantly but there was a decrease in bleeding and tightness. In the comparison of patients with hemorrhoids, the effectiveness of the two methods - pain and bleeding in the recovery time - was not significant.CONCLUSIONS: Based on the comparative studies, it can be stated that in all respects - efficiency, safety, comfort - the new method corresponds to the solutions based on thermal effect so far in practice.