Going the Distance: Endovenous Ablation of the Entire Refluxing Great Saphenous Is Associated with Lower Mid-Term Symptomatic Recurrence

Intervention on the great saphenous vein (GSV) has traditionally been limited to the above knee (AK-GSV) segment for fear of saphenous neuralgia, despite incompetence demonstrated in the below knee (BK-GSV) segment. Persistent reflux in the BK-GSV is reported after AK-GSV ablation alone. We have previously reported on the safety of endovenous thermal ablation of the BK-GSV. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of thermal ablation of AK-GSV alone vs AK-BK GSV ablation in terms of symptomatic recurrence and reintervention.