title: The 1,470-nm bare-fiber diode laser ablation of the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein at 1-year follow-up using 8-12 W and a mean linear endovenous energy density of 72 J/cm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate 1-year outcomes after low-energy endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent saphenous veins with linear endovenous energy density (LEED) of 80 J/cm or lower with the use of a 1,470-nm diode laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Incompetent saphenous veins in 236 patients (355 limbs; Clinical/Etiology/Anatomy/Pathophysiology classifications of C2-C4) were treated by EVLA with a bare-tipped 1,470-nm laser with LEED no greater than 80 J/cm (mean, 72.4 J/cm) and laser power of 8-12 W. Patients were evaluated clinically and with duplex ultrasonography at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after EVLA to assess the technical and clinical success and complication rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 355 limbs, the technical success rate was 100%. The great saphenous vein (GSV) remained occluded in all 229 limbs (100%) after 1 week, 202 of 203 limbs (99.5%) after 1 month, 157 of 158 limbs after 3 months (99.3%), all 99 limbs after 6 months (100%), and all 41 limbs after 1 year (100%). The small saphenous vein (SSV) remained occluded in all 103 limbs (100%) after 1 week, all 94 limbs (100%) after 1 month, 68 of 69 limbs (98.5%) after 3 months, 40 of 41 limbs (97.5%) after 6 months, and all 14 limbs after 1 year (100%). Two GSVs and two SSVs were recanalized and underwent repeated EVLA. No major complications occurred, although bruising (21% of cases), pain (15%), and paresthesia (4%) were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-energy EVLA with the use of a 1,470-nm laser with LEED of 80 J/cm or lower is an effective, safe, and technically successful option for the treatment of incompetent saphenous veins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: psw0224@kuh.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Sang Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Il Soo
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Joon
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Song Am
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-729 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ik Jin
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Yun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex / Q000379:methods; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult