Outcomes using a 1470-nm laser for symptomatic varicose veins.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and effectiveness of the laser fiber with wavelength of 1470 nm for ablation of symptomatic varicose veins.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study carried out from November 2007 to October 2009. Seventy-six limbs in 72 consecutive patients were treated by endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Baseline preprocedural clinical and ultrasonic grading of varicose veins was done. Endovenous laser ablation was done under ultrasonic guidance, and prior superficial venogram was taken if required. After the procedure all the patients were followed up with for 1 year with duplex ultrasound scan, and improvement in grading of venous disease was assessed.

RESULTS

One hundred eight treated veins of 76 limbs were followed up on day 2, 1 month, 6 month, and 12 months postprocedurally. At the end of 1-year follow-up, venous occlusion rate and ulcer healing rate were 98.61% and 85%, respectively. The average preoprocedure clinical grade and venous disability score improved significantly at 12 months. Most of the postprocedure complications were transient and self limiting; the most common complication was paresthesia (10.53%). No major complications, such as deep vein thrombosis, occurred. When the authors compared legs treated with linear endovenous energy density below or above 100 J/cm, the paresthesia rate and postoperative pain was significantly higher in the second group, with energy density more than 100 J/cm.

CONCLUSIONS

EVLA, using 1470-nm laser, is a minimally invasive, safe, outpatient department (OPD) procedure that causes less postprocedural pain with linear endovenous energy density (LEED) less than 100J/cm.