[Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) for treatment of great saphenous vein insufficiency].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and rate of complications of endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency.


METHODS
Between august 2002 and june 2007, 341 of the lower limbs of 322 patients were treated with EVLT using a 980-nm diode laser. Duplex ultrasound and clinical examinations were performed on the day of the procedure, the next day, and 6 to 12 months after the procedure.


RESULTS
All procedures were technically successful, and at the 3 months follow-up the Doppler ultrasound indicated the complete obstruction in all cases. 67 of the 70 lower limbs presented a complete obstruction at the 2 year follow-up. Only in two cases (2.85%) the GSV recanalization was observed after 6 months. As side effects reversible paresthesia, transient postoperative pain and ecchymosis were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
EVLT is a safe technique, with low incidence of recanalization and postoperative complications.
Constantea
N
N
Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie I. Haţieganu Cluj-Napoca Facultatea de Medicină, Clinica Chirurgie V.
Crişan
S
S
Donca
V
V
Buzdugan
Elena
E
Pop
T
T
Chirilă
Daciana
D
Capâlneanu
Corina
C
Jianu
F
F
Dudric
V
V
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*