Ambulatory surgery for chronic venous insufficiency using radiofrequency thermoablation: quality and satisfaction.

Background: Chronic venous disease is a frequent and prevalent pathology. Its surgical treatment has been shown to be cost-effective. Thermal endoablation performed as major outpatient surgery (MAS) is the technique of choice.

Objective: To know the satisfaction of patients after MAS and the quality of care provided.

Method: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out between January 2019 and March 2020. A survey was carried out on patients who underwent endovascular radiofrequency thermoablation in two hospitals in Spain, consisting of two questionnaires: one ad hoc and one another of satisfaction (SERCAL). Quality indices for MAS were measured.

Results: We analyzed 156 episodes. 145 interventions were carried out. We found 4 (2.8%) unscheduled admissions. 3 patients (2.1%) attended the emergency department. There was a 99.3% success rate. 100% of the patients had pre-surgical recommendations and informed consent. We obtained 48 surveys (response rate: 33.1%). All the patients gave a rating greater ≥ 8 in quality of care (x = 9.83) and would recommend this procedure to their relatives (x = 9.71).

Conclusions: Endovascular radiofrequency thermoablation performed in MAS has a high success rate and a very low rate of admission and visit to the emergency room. Patient satisfaction is high.