E-ISSN: 1305-3612
Endovenous laser ablation for saphenous vein insufficiency: immediate and short-term results of our first 60 procedures
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Interventional Radiology - Original Article
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 3
P: 156-163
September 2007

Endovenous laser ablation for saphenous vein insufficiency: immediate and short-term results of our first 60 procedures

Diagn Interv Radiol 2007;13(3):156-163
Saim Yılmaz 1
Kağan Çeken 2
Ahmet Alparslan 2
Timur Sindel 1
Ersin Lüleci 1
1. From the Department of Radiology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
2. Department of Radiology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 13.04.2007
Accepted Date: 30.04.2007
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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE

To present the immediate and short-term results of our first 60 endovenous laser (EVL) ablation procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between July 2005 and December 2006, 60 EVL ablations were performed in 36 symptomatic patients (26 females, 10 males; mean age ± SD, 46 ± 14 years). The incompetent veins included the great saphenous vein (GSV) (n = 52), small saphenous vein (n = 6), and major branches of the GSV (n = 2). In all cases incompetent veins were punctured under ultrasound (US) guidance and the laser fiber was placed into these veins through a vascular sheath or with the help of a catheter. After tumescent anesthesia was administered, the veins were ablated with laser by delivering 50–100 joules/cm energy to the vein wall. Following EVL ablations, 29 patients also underwent foam sclerotherapy to treat the remaining varicosities. After the EVL ablation ± sclerotherapy, patients were followed- up with Doppler US at 1 week, and then 3, 6, and 12 months post procedure.

RESULTS

In all patients EVL ablation was technically successful. Complications were minor and included transient visual disturbance due to foam sclerotherapy (n = 1), bruising/ ecchymoses (n = 24), postoperative pain (n = 16), and superficial thrombophlebitis (n = 6). All patients returned to normal activity within 2 days. During the 7 ± 5 months (mean ± SD) of follow-up, recurrent reflux was seen in only one patient, in both GSVs, which was successfully treated with foam sclerotherapy.

CONCLUSION

EVL ablation is a safe and effective method for the management of saphenous vein insufficiency.

Keywords:
varicose veins • catheter ablation • laser coagulation • endovenous laser ablation