Laser treatment of varicose veins: order out of chaos.
Varicose veins of the lower extremity are commonly encountered by vascular surgeons. Historically, the standard treatment of varicose veins has been high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein. Endovenous ablation techniques have been adopted by many surgeons over the past few years. Techniques of endovenous laser surgery are reviewed, as are the common complications and expected outcomes.
Ash
Jennifer L
JL
Division of Vascular Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62794-9680, USA.
Moore
Colleen J
CJ
D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*