Experience with VariClose® vein sealing system in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess occlusion rates of saphenous veins treated with the VariClose vein sealing system. METHODS A retrospective analysis including a total of 64 patients from four centres from the Czech Republic. Occlusion was defined as a non-compressible vein with absence of flow with exception to the first 3 cm from the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction on duplex ultrasound. RESULTS In 64 patients a total of 79 veins were treated. Technical success of the procedure was achieved in 74 (94%) of cases. The mean follow-up was 5.5 months. The closure rates calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months were 94%, 85%, 69% and 36%, respectively, and there were no significant differences between centers. The average difference in VCSS score before and after the procedure was 1.8. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated surprisingly worse occlusion rates than the current literature.