Endovenous thermal ablation of superficial venous insufficiency of the lower extremity: single-center experience with 3000 limbs treated in a 7-year period.

Purpose: To demonstrate that endovenous thermal ablation is not only effective and safe but also a durable treatment in patients with symptomatic varicose veins.

Methods: From February 2002 to February 2009, 2354 patients (1836 women; mean age 53 years, range 15-95) with symptomatic varicose veins in 3000 limbs underwent endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The majority of treated vessels were the great saphenous veins (GSV; 2619, 87.