Early experience with diclofenac topical gel for moderate to severe postablation phlebitis.

Objective: Oral (PO) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat phlebitis and thrombus extension postendovenous ablation. Few studies have evaluated diclofenac topical gel for treating postablation phlebitis. This study assesses diclofenac 1% topical gel as a first-line treatment for patients with moderate to severe phlebitis after ablation.

Methods: From December 2021 to March 2024, a retrospective cohort study was performed to identify patients who developed postablation phlebitis and were treated with either diclofenac topical gel (with or without PO NSAIDs) vs PO NSAIDs alone. All patients were evaluated with a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS, 0-10) at four time intervals (1, 7, 14, and 30 days) after initiating treatment.

Results: Overall, 45 patients were included in the study, with 38 in the diclofenac ± PO NSAIDs group (9 males and 29 females) and 7 in the PO NSAIDs alone group (all females). NPRS scores showed similar pain reduction trends at all time intervals. Topical diclofenac gel was noninferior to PO treatments and resulted in partial to complete relief in most patients at 30 days. At the 30-day follow-up interview, 57% of patients preferred the diclofenac topical gel owing to its ease of use and immediate local pain reduction.

Conclusions: Patients with moderate to severe postablation phlebitis respond well to diclofenac topical gel with or without PO NSAIDs. Moreover, patients often had significant pain relief without additional need for PO NSAIDs. Longitudinal studies are needed to support the use of diclofenac topical gel for postablation phlebitis.