title: Endovenous laser ablation of great saphenous vein with ultrasound-guided perivenous tumescence: early and midterm results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is an improved method to treat varicose great saphenous veins (GSV) with a high satisfactory rate. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and safety of treatment by EVLA procedures with ultrasound-guided perivenous tumescence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients (31 limbs) with symptomatic varicose vein primary to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) treated with EVLA were prospectively studied. The entire procedure was performed under ultrasound-guided tumescent local anesthesia. The patients were evaluated with a 18 month follow-up postoperation using clinical examination and venous duplex ultrasonography. Pain scores and quality of life (QOL) were recorded using visual analog scale (VAS) and the chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire (CIVIQ) at 1 week, 1 month, and 12 months after operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients tolerated EVLA procedure well. The overall success occlusion rates of GSV were 92%, 94%, and 94% at 1, 12, and 18 months follow-up, respectively. The score of CIVIQ one week preoperation was 69.14 ± 11.44 while that of CIVIQ one month postoperation was 85.32 ± 4.89. The life quality has significantly improved after the operation of EVLA (t = 12.71, P < 0.05). The VAS one month after treatment was lower than 1 week before therapy (t = 8.048, P < 0.05). Major complications such as deep vein thrombosis and skin burns were not found. Most of the complications were minor and improved quickly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This refinement type of EVLA procedure is a safe and effective treatment with a high satisfaction rate; it displayed noteworthy features including shortening hospitalization, early ambulant activity, and preferable occlusion rates.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors: Jia-quan
authors: JQ
authors: Chen
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Xie
authors: Hao-yu
authors: HY
authors: Deng
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Yuan
authors: Ji-wei
authors: JW
authors: Zhang
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Lan
authors: L
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery