Endovenous laser ablation for superficial venous insufficiency.
BACKGROUND
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a new minimally invasive alternative to conventional surgery for superficial venous insufficiency and varicose veins, where laser energy is used to ablate the incompetent veins.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovenous laser ablation avoids the need for surgical incisions, and the complications of surgical exploration of the groin or popliteal fossa, and stripping. The procedure is commonly performed under local anaesthesia, with immediate mobilisation and rapid return to normal activity. Severe varicosity of tributaries may require adjunctive procedures such as microphlebectomy or sclerotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Early outcomes and cosmesis are superior, and long-term data is accumulating that recurrence of EVLA rates may be lower.
Durai
R
R
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Barts and the London NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
Srodon
P D
PD
Kyriakides
C
C
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*