title: Endovenous laser ablation of the great and short saphenous veins with a 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser: retrospective case series of 1171 procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Venous insufficiency is a common medical condition affecting up to 50.5% of women and 30.1% of men. Endovenous laser ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that safely and effectively treats reflux involving the great and short saphenous veins.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to present safety and efficacy data of 1171 endovenous laser ablations using the Scripps Clinic endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an institutional review board-approved, retrospective chart analysis of 1171 endovenous laser ablations performed from March 2007 until February 2011 treated at Scripps Clinic with the 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser with 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our current overall experience is greater than 2000 EVLT procedures. The mean follow-up for this case series of 1171 EVLT procedures (1066 great saphenous veins and 105 short saphenous veins) is 11.4 months with an overall closure success rate of 99.9% for patients not lost to follow-up. There has been no incidence of deep vein thrombosis, permanent nerve damage, or pulmonary embolism related to laser ablation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retrospective chart analysis, investigator bias, patients lost to follow-up, and lack of quality-of-life assessment are limitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EVLT using a 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser appears to be a viable option for venous insufficiency and venous ulceration unresponsive to conservative treatment.
authors: Private practice, Laguna Beach, California. Electronic address: daniellemoul@gmail.com.
authors: Danielle K
authors: DK
authors: Moul
authors: Scripps Clinic Vein Center, San Diego, California.
authors: Leland
authors: L
authors: Housman
authors: Scripps Clinic Department of Mohs Surgery, La Jolla, California.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Romine
authors: Scripps Clinic Department of Mohs Surgery, La Jolla, California.
authors: Hubert
authors: H
authors: Greenway
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000535:Aluminum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015019:Yttrium / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C503779:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; D015019:Yttrium; D000535:Aluminum
keywords: CoolTouch laser; DVT; EVLT; GSV; LTFU; Nd:YAG; SSV; deep vein thrombosis; endovenous laser ablation; endovenous laser therapy; great saphenous vein; lost to follow-up; neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; short saphenous vein; varicose veins; venous insufficiency; venous ulcers