title: Recurrence patterns after endovenous laser treatment of saphenous vein reflux.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The patterns of recurrent varicose veins after endovascular ablation of the saphenous veins are not well described.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study describes the ultrasound defined recurrence patterns seen in 58 patients (79 limbs) who returned for evaluation of recurrent varicose veins from a cohort of 802 patients treated with endovenous laser ablation and subsequent sclerotherapy from March 2000 to March 2007 with clinical follow-up until May 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common ultrasound defined recurrence patterns leading to the varicose veins were new reflux in the anterior accessory saphenous and small saphenous veins as well as recanalization of the treated saphenous segment. Neovascularization at the saphenofemoral junction and incompetent perforating veins as the source of the recurrent veins were not seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patterns of recurrence following thermal ablation of saphenous veins are different to those seen after surgery. Specifically, new reflux in other saphenous veins is responsible for most recurrent varicose veins and neovascularity seems to be unusual following endovenous laser ablation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA rsw9004@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Ronald S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Winokur
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Neil M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Khilnani
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Min
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057510:Endovascular Procedures; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Catheter-based interventions; endovenous laser treatment; endovenous thermal ablation; varicose veins