title: Innovative treatments in chronic venous insufficiency: endovenous laser ablation of perforating veins: a prospective short-term analysis of 58 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of endovenous laser ablation of incompetent perforating veins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 58 perforating veins in 33 limbs of 28 patients were treated between March 2008 and February 2009 in an outpatient clinic setting. The average age was 65 years (range 30-81 years); 64% female; CEAP clinical stage C4 (67%), C5 (17%) and C6 (16%) (Clinica, Etiology, Anatomy and Pathophysiology, CEAP).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients underwent a standardised clinical examination and duplex ultrasonography. Guided by duplex ultrasonography, the perforating veins were cannulated percutaneously and tumescent local anaesthesia was given. An 810-nm diode laser was used to deliver 14 W power. Mean total energy delivered was 187 (range 87-325) J. Three months post-treatment, all patients underwent a further duplex ultrasound examination, to determine the treatment outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Occlusion of the perforating veins was achieved after 3 months in 78% of the cases. In the CEAP C6 group, four of five ulcers had healed after 6 weeks. No serious complications, including deep venous thrombosis, were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovenous laser therapy for treating incompetent perforating veins is a safe and technically feasible technique. The initial occlusion rate is acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Scheper Ziekenhuis, Emmen, Boermarkeweg 60, Postbus 30002, 7800 RA Emmen, The Netherlands. r.hissink@sze.nl
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hissink
authors.forename: R M G
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bruins
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erkens
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Castellanos Nuijts
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van den Berg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing