Objective To compare endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) with endovenous microwave coagulation (EMC) in the treatment of varicose vein in the lower extremities. Methods Sixty-five (male 30, female 35) patients with 70 lower extremities (35 legs in each treatment group) were pair matched according to age, gender and CEAP classification to receive endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) or endovenous microwave coagulation (EMC). The same surgeon performed all procedures. Patients were monitored on 72 hours, 4 weeks and 6 months after the procedure (by procedural site scored for bruising, skin burn, painful induration or trabes as well as a pain score), the cured extremities were examined via Duplex uhrasonography to evaluate the effects of the procedure. Results All these 65 patients (mean age, 47.52 years) completed treatment and were followed-up. The mean operation time of EMC group was less than that of EVLT (71±25 vs. 59±15, P=0.01). At 72 hour after the procedure, bruising scores and skin buring were significantly different (P<0.05): patients in the EMC group showed less bruising (17.14% vs. 54.29%) but more burn (48.57% vs. 20%) on the procedure site than the patients in the EVLT group. At 4 weeks and 6 months after the procedure, no significant differences were found between patient outcomes, physical conditions, and symptoms and or possible adverse events. In 20/28 patients the pigmentation faded away, Edema were relieved in all the 25 extremities. 4 patients with ankle ulcer were healed. No major complications were found. Conclusions Both EMC and EVLT were effective in treating lower extremities varicose veins, with no major complications.

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of neuropathic pain induced by selective nerve injury (SNI) on intestinal microflora diversity in C57 mice. 【Methods】 36 C57 mice were randomly divided into SNI model group (n=18), sham-operation group (n=8), and control group (n=10). At day 0,1, 3, 7, and 14 after modeling, mechanical pain threshold and thermal pain sensitivity tests were carried out. At day 14 after modeling, colon content (fresh feces) from all the mice were collected for intestinal microflora diversity analysis. 【Results】 One day after modeling, the mechanical pain threshold in SNI group decreased significantly (more than 70%) due to nerve injury, and the thermal pain threshold decreased by 40%, while sham group and control group had no significant decrease. SNI group showed foot hyperalgesia, and the difference was statistically significant compared with sham group and control group (P<0.001). Compared with control group, sham-operation group had a transient decrease in thermal pain threshold on the first day after modeling (P=0.006), but there was no difference in pain threshold between the two groups on the third day after modeling. The α-diversity analysis showed that the abundance of Observed, Chao1, ACE and Simpson in SNI group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). That is, SNI group had flora disorder due to pain stimulation. Observed, Chao1, ACE, and Simpson were less abundant in sham group than in control group (P<0.05) and the change was between SNI group and control group. 【Conclusion】 Neuropathic pain induced by SNI model resulted in the decrease of mechanical pain threshold and thermal pain threshold, which leads to the reduction of intestinal flora diversity in C57 mice.

【Objective】 To compare the efficacy of radiofrequency thermocoagulation and pulsed radiofrequency for the ganglion impar in treating primary perineal pain. 【Methods】 We analyzed 79 patients with primary perineal pain who underwent radiofrequency thermocoagulation (group A) and pulsed radiofrequency (group B) in the ganglion impar from January 2020 to March 2022. VAS, excellent and good rates, sleep quality, postoperative medication usage, complications, and recurrence were evaluated before and 24 h, 1 W, 1 M, 3 M and 6 M after operation. The differences between the two groups were compared. 【Results】 The VAS score of group A gradually decreased at each level after operation, and the VAS score of group B gradually increased after 24 hours of operation. The differences between the two groups began to appear 1 week after operation, and the differences further increased with the extension of time (P<0.001). In six months after follow-up, the excellent and good rates of group A (86%) was significantly higher than that of group B (22%). In addition to postoperative perineal skin numbness, group A was superior to group B in improving sleep, postoperative oral medication (pregabalin and opioids), and disease recurrence (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Radiofrequency thermocoagulation for the ganglion impar can improve the quality of life by reducing pain, improving the excellent and good rates, improving sleep, and reducing recurrence a medication. The effect is better than that of pulsed radiofrequency.

【Objective】 To study the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulse radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of the saphenous nerve for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). 【Methods】 A total of 289 KOA patients were followed up from March 2021 to October 2023 and divided into PRF group (group A, n=142) and conservative treatment group (group B, n=147) according to different treatment methods. Pain degree (VAS), knee function (OKS), and sleep quality (AIS) of the two groups were recorded before treatment and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment; the occurrence of complications was recorded for comparison between the two groups. 【Results】 After treatment, VAS, OKS and AIS scores in both groups decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001). In addition, the scores of group A showed a gradual downward trend 6 months after surgery, while the scores of group B showed an overall upward trend 6 months after surgery. The scores of VAS and OKS were significantly lower in group A than in group B from 1 week to 6 months after surgery (P<0.001). The AIS score of group A was much lower than that of group B from 1 month to 6 months after surgery (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P=0.236). 【Conclusion】 Ultrasound-guided PRF treatment of the saphenous nerve is better than conservative treatment because it can better reduce pain and improve knee joint mobility and sleep in patients with KOA.