Combined endovenous laser treatment and ambulatory phlebectomy for the treatment of saphenous vein incompetence.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) combined with ambulatory phlebectomy (AP) as a single procedure for treating saphenous vein incompetence.


METHODS
The study enrolled 148 patients with saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction reflux associated with saphenous vein incompetence and enlarged branch veins. Patients were treated with EVLT (135 great saphenous veins, 41 small saphenous veins) concomitantly with AP as a single procedure. All patients were followed up by clinical assessment and duplex ultrasound at one week and 12 weeks after the procedure.


RESULTS
No postprocedural deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occurred. Saphenous vein recanalization rate at three months was 5.7%. Residual varicosities were found in 11.4% of the patients at three months after procedure, but only 2.3% of those required subsequent interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined EVLT and AP could be a safe and effective treatment modality for the saphenous vein incompetence.
Jung
I M
IM
Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea. sb5240@paran.com
Min
S I
SI
Heo
S C
SC
Ahn
Y J
YJ
Hwang
K-T
KT
Chung
J K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*