Which has better success rate long term. Thank you
Both RFA and Laser use heat energy to close diseased veins. Both have excellent long term success rates. I have used both and typically prefer RFA. There have been multiple studies showing less post-op pain and bruising with RFA compared to laser and personal experience has confirmed this. Having said that, the post op pain with both is mild. Also, the newer, longer wavelength lasers can approach the results seen with RF if done with radial tip laser fibers. If you go to a provider using laser, I would recommend that you ask if they are using a 1470 laser with a radial tip, or just have an RFA as those tend to hurt less. Laser does have advantage over RFA in terms of versatility as it can treat both saphenous veins and perforators at the same setting, with the same fiber, so in those cases a laser may be a better option. Good luck
RFA is radio frequency ablation and EVLA is endovenous laser ablation. Both do the same thing and that is to close the leaking valves. One uses radio frequency and one uses laser. What procedure is used usually depends on the experience of the treating physician. I prefer laser.
