Comparative pilot study evaluating the treatment of leg veins with a long pulse ND:YAG laser and sclerotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To date there have been very few side by side comparison studies of laser versus sclerotherapy in treating small leg veins. This study compares a long pulsed Nd:YAG laser with contact cooling to sclerotherapy for treating small diameter leg veins by evaluating objective and subjective clinical effects.


METHODS
Twenty patients were selected with leg veins ranging from 0.25 to 3 mm at two comparable sites. One site was treated with long pulsed Nd:YAG laser and the other received sotradecol sclerotherapy. The patients followed up at 8 weeks for another possible laser retreatment and 3 months following the last treatment. Photographs were taken pre- and post-operatively and at each follow-up visit and used for objective comparative analysis. The patients also completed a Quality of Life survey.


RESULTS
Improvement was tabulated from the photographic assessment on an improvement scale from 0 (no change)-4 (greater than 75% clearing). The laser treated areas averaged 2.50 and sclerotherapy treated sites averaged 2.30. Patient surveys show 35% preferred laser and 45% choose sclerotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study demonstrates that the Lyra Long Pulse Nd:YAG laser can yield results similar to sclerotherapy in the treatment of small leg veins.
Coles
Charlotte M
CM
Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Center for Cosmetic Care, Edina, Minnesota, USA.
Werner
Richard S
RS
Zelickson
Brian D
BD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate