Endovenous laser surgery of the incompetent greater saphenous vein with a 980-nm diode laser.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, the minimal endoluminal invasive alternatives against surgical ligation and stripping for the treatment of incompetent greater saphenous vein (GSV) have been explored. Endovenous laser surgery is one of these endoluminal alternatives, and its clinical results are being reported at up to 3 years.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 980-nm diode laser for the elimination of the incompetent GSV.


METHODS
Fifteen limbs in 12 patients with incompetent GSV were treated via an endovenous route with a 980-nm laser under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The effects were evaluated clinically along with duplex ultrasound at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the treatment to determine efficacy and possible complications.


RESULTS
Complete occlusion and retraction of treated GSV in all patients were observed during the 12 weeks of the postoperative period. There have been no significant complications to be concerned.


CONCLUSIONS
The endovenous 980-nm diode laser surgery is a relatively simple, safe, office-based procedure that is expected to promise favorable results while a long-term follow-up is awaited.
Oh
Chang-Keun
CK
Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University, College of Medicine, 1-10 Ami-dong, Seo-Ku, Busan 602-739, Korea. ckoh@pusan.ac.kr
Jung
Do-Sang
DS
Jang
Ho-Sun
HS
Kwon
Kyung-Sool
KS
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*