Endovenous laser ablation of saphenous vein – mid-term results confirm permanent closure and possibility to treat more lesions in one procedure

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (7) ◽  

Introduction: Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is a common alternative to surgical treatment of varicose veins. The aim of our study was to demonstrate that laser occlusion is durable, that we can treat all patients in a one day setting, even with veins >10mm in diameter, and that multiple EVLAs can be done at the same time. Methods: In the period from 1/2017 to 12/2019 EVLA was performed in a total of 1551 consecutive patients with varicose veins and ultrasonographically documented venous reflux. The mid-term results were evaluated in a group of patients operated from 1/2017 to 6/2017 (316 pts.). We compared a risk group that consisted of patients with veins >10mm in diameter (40 pts.) with a control group (the remaining 276 pts.). Patients with veins >10mm are traditionally considered as candidates for conventional surgery. Results: The catheter-based method enabled us to perform more ablations in one procedure. In 2019 we performed 1.44 EVLA procedures per patient. There was only one postoperative follow-up visit, indicating an uncomplicated postoperative course, in 87.5% of patients of the risk group. In the control group 100% of patients had only one follow-up visit including ultrasound examination, showing an uncomplicated postoperative course (p<0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of complications. Ultrasonographic follow-up was performed in the risk group. Veins larger in diameter revealed complete disintegration early, but at the end of the follow-up period (mean 33±6 months) they disappeared completely. Conclusion: The study showed good mid-term results of EVLA of the saphenous vein in the outpatient setting and the feasibility of performing multiple ablations in a non-selected group of patients using local anaesthesia. Laser destruction of the vein was shown to be permanent. Perfect familiarity with the diagnostic procedure using ultrasonography and early patient follow-up are required to achieve reproducibility.

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119
Author(s):  
Walter Junior Boim de Araujo ◽  
Jorge Rufino Ribas Timi ◽  
Carlos Seme Nejm Junior ◽  
Fabiano Luiz Erzinger ◽  
Filipe Carlos Caron

Abstract Background In endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), the great saphenous vein (GSV) is usually ablated from the knee to the groin, with no treatment of the below-knee segment regardless of its reflux status. However, persistent below-knee GSV reflux appears to be responsible for residual varicosities and symptoms of venous disease. Objectives To evaluate clinical and duplex ultrasound (DUS) outcomes of the below-knee segment of the GSV after above-knee EVLA associated with conventional surgical treatment of varicosities and incompetent perforating veins. Methods Thirty-six patients (59 GSVs) were distributed into 2 groups, a control group (26 GSVs with normal below-knee flow on DUS) and a test group (33 GSVs with below-knee reflux). Above-knee EVLA was performed with a 1470-nm bare-fiber diode laser and supplemented with phlebectomies of varicose tributaries and insufficient perforating-communicating veins through mini-incisions. Follow-up DUS, clinical evaluation using the venous clinical severity score (VCSS), and evaluation of complications were performed at 3-5 days after the procedure and at 1, 6, and 12 months. Results Mean patient age was 45 years, and 31 patients were women (86.12%). VCSS improved in both groups. Most patients in the test group exhibited normalization of reflux, with normal flow at the beginning of follow-up (88.33% of GSVs at 3-5 days and 70% at 1 month). However, in many of these patients reflux eventually returned (56.67% of GSVs at 6 months and 70% at 1 year). Conclusions These data suggest that reflux in the below-knee segment of the GSV was not influenced by the treatment performed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos S Nejm ◽  
Jorge RR Timi ◽  
Walter Boim de Araújo ◽  
Filipe C Caron

Objectives To determine great saphenous vein occlusion rate after endovenous laser ablation using the 1470-nm bare-fiber diode laser to supply either 7 W or 15 W and evaluate procedure-related complications. Method Patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities (CEAP class C2–C6) were randomly assigned to undergo either 7-W (18 patients, 30 limbs) or 15-W (18 patients, 30 limbs) endovenous laser ablation. Duplex ultrasound follow-up was at 3–5 days, 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results Occlusion rate was 100% in both groups at 3–5 days and 1 month and 86.7% in 7-W and 100% in 15-W patients at both 6 and 12 months, with no difference between groups ( p > 0.05). Four (13.3%) 15-W and 3 (10%) 7-W patients had paresthesia at 3–5 days, with no difference between groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that both techniques are similarly effective in the treatment of varicose great saphenous veins.


2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
L van Groenendael ◽  
L Flinkenflögel ◽  
J A van der Vliet ◽  
E A Roovers ◽  
S M M van Sterkenburg ◽  
...  

Objectives Recurrences of varicosities of the small saphenous vein (SSV) are common. Surgical reintervention is associated with increased complication rates. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in recurrent varicose veins of the SSV and to compare this technique with surgical reintervention. Methods All case files of patients treated for SSV varicosities between May 2006 and October 2008 were evaluated and recurrences were selected. Demographics, duplex findings, clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological classification, perioperative and follow-up data were all registered. Additionally, a questionnaire focusing on patient satisfaction was taken. Results Two hundred and eighty-one patients were treated for varicosities of the SSV, of which 42 were for recurrences. Twenty-six of these were treated with EVLA, all under local anaesthesia, and 16 were surgically treated. Most surgically treated patients were treated under regional anaesthesia (88%). Technical success was achieved in 94% of surgically treated patients and in all EVLA-treated patients. Complications in both groups were mostly minor and self-limiting. Sural nerve neuralgia appeared to be more frequent in the surgically treated group (20% versus 9%). After correction for length of follow-up, the incidence of rerecurrences was not statistically significant between groups. Conclusion EVLA is feasible in patients with recurrent varicose veins of the SSV with possibly a lower incidence of sural nerve injury. Patient satisfaction is high for both treatment modalities. Studies with larger samples are indicated to confirm these observations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1707
Author(s):  
Hatem Hussein Mohamed ◽  
Beshoy Magdy Alshahat ◽  
Mamdouh Mohamed Almezaien

Background: Varicose veins are permanently swollen, tortuous and elongated while standing due to back flow of blood caused by incompetent valve closure which result in venous congestion .they are of two types primary and secondary varicosities .The main symptoms are tingling, itching, pain, fatigue, a heavy feeling in the legs especially if one has to stand for a long time. Ulcers and thrombophlebitis are possible complications. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of laser ablation of great saphenous vein on healing of varicose ulcers.Methods: A prospective study conducted at Suez Canal University Hospitals and Nasser Institute Hospital in Cairo on 20 patients complaining varicose ulcers due to incompetent saphenous femoral junction.Results: All patients had improvement in Abrdeen Varicose vein questionnaire after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) during the first, second and third follow up visits when compared with preoperative scores. The Aberdeen Varicose vein questionnaire ranged from 8 to 18 before the procedure, with a mean of 12.11, ranged from 3 to 11 at the first follow up visit with a mean of 7.07, ranged from 2 to 10 at the second follow up visit with a mean of 4.89 and ranged from 2 to 10 at the third follow up visit with a mean of 3.85, p value is less than 0.001 compared to the pre-operative data. During the assessment of the patients of our study after 6 months of continuous follow up, we found that the healing rate of the patients who underwent laser ablation of great saphenous vein were (91.67) (p=0.769).Conclusions: EVLA of great saphenous vein leads to better wound healing rates in treating patients with varicose ulcers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 496-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald S Winokur ◽  
Neil M Khilnani ◽  
Robert J Min

Introduction The patterns of recurrent varicose veins after endovascular ablation of the saphenous veins are not well described. Methods The current study describes the ultrasound defined recurrence patterns seen in 58 patients (79 limbs) who returned for evaluation of recurrent varicose veins from a cohort of 802 patients treated with endovenous laser ablation and subsequent sclerotherapy from March 2000 to March 2007 with clinical follow-up until May 2014. Findings The most common ultrasound defined recurrence patterns leading to the varicose veins were new reflux in the anterior accessory saphenous and small saphenous veins as well as recanalization of the treated saphenous segment. Neovascularization at the saphenofemoral junction and incompetent perforating veins as the source of the recurrent veins were not seen. Conclusions The patterns of recurrence following thermal ablation of saphenous veins are different to those seen after surgery. Specifically, new reflux in other saphenous veins is responsible for most recurrent varicose veins and neovascularity seems to be unusual following endovenous laser ablation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 534-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma B Dabbs ◽  
Laurensius E Mainsiouw ◽  
Judith M Holdstock ◽  
Barrie A Price ◽  
Mark S Whiteley

Aims To report on great saphenous vein diameter distribution of patients undergoing endovenous laser ablation for lower limb varicose veins and the ablation technique for large diameter veins. Methods We collected retrospective data of 1929 (943 left leg and 986 right leg) clinically incompetent great saphenous vein diameters treated with endovenous laser ablation over five years and six months. The technical success of procedure, complications and occlusion rate at short-term follow-up are reported. Upon compression, larger diameter veins may constrict asymmetrically rather than concentrically around the laser fibre (the ‘smile sign’), requiring multiple passes of the laser into each dilated segment to achieve complete ablation. Results Of 1929 great saphenous veins, 334 (17.31%) had a diameter equal to or over 15 mm, which has been recommended as the upper limit for endovenous laser ablation by some clinicians. All were successfully treated and occluded upon short-term follow-up. Conclusion We suggest that incompetent great saphenous veins that need treatment can always be treated with endovenous laser ablation, and open surgery should never be recommended on vein diameter alone.


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