Energy delivery during 810 nm endovenous laser ablation of varicose veins and post-procedural morbidity.
OBJECTIVE
The durability of occlusion post endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for varicose veins is linked to the magnitude of energy delivered to the vein and consequently increasing amounts of energy are employed. The aim of this study is to establish whether increasing the energy results in greater periprocedural morbidity or complications.


METHODS
Linear and logistic regression models were built to study the effect of energy delivery on outcome. The models controlled for age, gender, BMI, pre-operative quality of life and vein dimension. The outcomes were pain and analgesia requirement in week 1, change in disease specific quality of life (Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire (AVVQ), change in generic quality of life (Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Euroqol (EQ5D)at week 1 and 6 and complication rates. The sample size calculation established that 115 patients would be required to detect any significant relationship.


RESULTS
232 patients were included. The mean (range) age was 50 (18-83) years. 63% were women. The mean (range) energy delivery was 89.8 (44.5-158.4) J/cm. There was no significant effect on any outcome related to increasing energy delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Up to 160 J/cm, increasing energy delivery has no significant effect upon the morbidity or complications of EVLT for superficial venous insufficiency.
Academic Vascular Surgical Unit, University of Hull, Hull York Medical School, UK. dan1@doctors.org.uk
D
D
Carradice
F A K
FA
Mazari
A
A
Mekako
J
J
Hatfield
V
V
Allgar
I C
IC
Chetter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics