title: Endovenous and perivenous 808-nm laser treatment of lower limb collateral, reticular and telangiectasiac veins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Visible leg veins are not only a mere aesthetic problem, but may also be manifestation of altered microcirculation and superficial venous incompetency. Sclerotherapy is the first-line treatment for leg veins < 4 mm, but it often needs multiple sessions and sometimes fails. The main limitations of transcutaneous laser treatment are the diameter and the depth of the veins: the greater, the harder photothermolysis is, so that higher powers may lead to aesthetic complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report our experience in the treatment of small collateral (< 4 mm), reticular and telangiectasiac veins with endovenous and perivenous 808-nm laser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 325 treatments were performed on 113 patients. The endovenous and perivenous treatment proved to be a safe, quick, well-tolerated and effective procedure. It ensured an optimal closure of the target veins right from the first treatment in most patients. Sometimes, a second treatment of the same vein was needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endovenous and perivenous 808-nm laser photothermal sclerosis ensures a quick coagulation-fibrosis of the veins of the lower limbs, thus allowing rapid healing and good aesthetic results (stable in 95% of patients after an average follow-up of 18 months). It may be an effective alternative to sclerotherapy.
authors.affiliation: a "Bruno Bovani" Surgery and Aesthetic Center , Perugia , Italy.|b PhD School in Biotechnologies, University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bugiantella
authors.affiliation: a "Bruno Bovani" Surgery and Aesthetic Center , Perugia , Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bovani
authors.affiliation: c "Casa di Cura Città di Parma" , Parma , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zini
mesh_terms: D003097:Collateral Circulation; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054068:Livedo Reticularis / Q000601:surgery*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery*; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Endovenous; laser 808 nm; lower limbs; perivenous; vein