title: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in patients with varicose great saphenous vein (GSV) and incompetent saphenofemoral junction (SFJ): an ambulatory single center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate treatment results for varicose great saphenous vein (GSV) using endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in an ambulatory single center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively studied 77 limbs with varicose GSV in 74 patients who were treated using 980-nm EVL with a 600-mm laser fiber and the power settings of 10-25 Watts. The patients were followed using color Doppler ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continued closure of treated GSV was found in 98.3% of the legs evaluated at 3-week follow-up (n = 60). At 3- and 6-month intervals, 94.1% and 97% successful occlusion was achieved, respectively. The main complications of the procedure included prolonged leg pain (2 cases), hyperestheasia (one case) and lidocaine sensitivity (one case).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EVLA treatment of the GSV is a safe and highly effective method accompanied with few complications in midterm follow-up. It is feasible in ambulatory settings and the patients return to their daily activities early after intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mrzafarghandi@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zafarghandi
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhlaghpour
authors.forename: Halimeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbasi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects