Endovenous laser ablation for major varicose tributaries.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose was to determine whether endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) could be used to treat major varicose tributaries as well as saphenous veins.

METHODS

From 173 major venous systems in 95 patients treated by EVLA over a 12-month period, 108 had major varicose tributaries, of which 78 (70%) were treated by attempted EVLA of the saphenous veins and associated tributaries.

RESULTS

Treatment was successful in 71 venous segments (83%). The lengths of saphenous veins treated were 3-46 (median 18) cm. and the lengths of tributaries treated were 3-38 (median 14) cm. The diameters of treated saphenous veins were 4-10 (median 6) mm, and the estimated mean diameters of treated tributaries were 3-8 (median 5) mm, as measured prior to operation with the patient in 45° reverse Trendelenburg on a tilt table. There were no early or delayed complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Major varicose tributaries as well as the saphenous veins can be treated by EVLA in approximately two-thirds of cases, with success in the majority selected and with no significant complications.