title: Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) for the saphenous reflux and varicose veins: a follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to report our experience about endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) for lower extremity varices in our centre which was followed by ultrasonography during the 6-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 1-year period, 46 patients who were treated by EVLT with the 940-nm diode laser for venous insufficiency enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of greater saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence with reflux was made by clinical evaluation and duplex Doppler examinations. Clinical outcomes, complications and duplex ultrasound of the GSV were assessed within 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, after the endovascular laser treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of our patients was 44 ± 11 years (24-70), and among them, 23 (50%) were male. Improvement in visible varicosity was seen in 39 (84.8%) patients after 6 months (P value = 0.011). The baseline mean diameter of GSV was 4.9 ± 1.6 mm and it dropped to 3.5 ± 1.3 after 6 months (P < 0.0001). After 6 months, 95.7% of our patients were satisfied and recommended this procedure to others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular laser ablation seems to be a safe and effective method for the treatment of lower limb varices.
authors: Department of Radiology, Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Kavous
authors: K
authors: Firouznia
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Ghanaati
authors: Mahsa
authors: M
authors: Hedayati
authors: Madjid
authors: M
authors: Shakiba
authors: Amir Hossein
authors: AH
authors: Jalali
authors: Rasoul
authors: R
authors: Mirsharifi
authors: Abbas
authors: A
authors: Dargahi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult