Endovenous laser treatment of saphenous vein reflux

Readily available noninvasive diagnostic tests now allow physicians to accurately map out abnormal venous pathways and identify sources of reflux. In recent years, minimally invasive alternatives to surgical treatment of saphenous vein reflux, the main contributor to most cases of symptomatic varicose veins, have been developed with promising results.(1-8) The latest percutaneous technique developed to treat incompetent saphenous veins is endovenous laser, which allows delivery of laser energy directly into the vein lumen to cause collagen contraction and denudation of endothelium. This stimulates vein-wall thickening with eventual fibrosis of the vein. These modern percutaneous techniques now provide patients with alternatives to ligation and stripping for treatment of significant sources of venous reflux without many of the potential complications associated with surgery.     

Endovenous laser treatment of the incompetent greater saphenous vein

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), a novel percutaneous technique for occlusion of the incompetent greater saphenous vein (GSV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety GSVs in 84 patients with reflux at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) into the GSV were treated endovenously with pulses of laser energy and evaluated in a prospective, nonrandomized, consecutive enrollment multicenter study. Patients were evaluated at 1 week and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months to determine efficacy and complications. RESULTS: Eighty-seven of 90 GSVs (97%) were closed 1 week after initial treatment with endovenous laser. The remaining three GSVs were closed after repeat treatment. Eighty-nine of 90 GSVs (99%) remained closed for as long as 9 months according to serial duplex ultrasonography. Sonographic evaluation demonstrated 73% reduction in GSV diameter at 6 months (61 patients) and 81% reduction in GSV diameter at 9 months (26 patients) after EVLT. One patient developed a transient localized skin paresthesia. There have been no other minor or major complications. CONCLUSIONS: EVLT of the incompetent GSV appears to be an extremely safe technique that yields impressive short-term results. Long-term follow-up is awaited.     

Endovenous laser therapy of the incompetent great saphenous vein

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was the development of a new, even less invasive technique, for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs than traditional surgery (ligation with stripping of the saphenous vein). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The new interventional radiological procedure uses the 810- to 980-nm endovascular laser fibre proposed by Min et al. Our technique involves the superselective catheterisation of the great saphenous vein under fluoroscopy with contralateral venous access achieved by performing iliac crossover. Retrograde and anterograde phlebographies are performed with a needle cannula positioned in the dorsum of the foot. This enables accurate venous mapping during the procedure of laser photothermolysis. We treated 52 patients between June 2003 and June 2004, with a percentage of recanalisation of 7.5% at 1 year. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The contralateral approach allows greater control over the entire procedure, with a reduction in potential risks in relation to the saphenofemoral junction given that, unlike in the technique proposed by Min et al. the tip of the laser is directed at all times towards the saphenous vein and never towards the femoral vein. This more radical procedure offers a significant reduction in the possibility of relapse of varicose disease of the saphenofemoral junction.     

Endovenous laser ablation for saphenous vein insufficiency: immediate and short-term results of our first 60 procedures

PURPOSE: To present the immediate and short-term results of our first 60 endovenous laser (EVL) ablation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2005 and December 2006, 60 EVL ablations were performed in 36 symptomatic patients (26 females, 10 males; mean age +/- SD, 46 +/- 14 years). The incompetent veins included the great saphenous vein (GSV) (n = 52), small saphenous vein (n = 6), and major branches of the GSV (n = 2). In all cases incompetent veins were punctured under ultrasound (US) guidance and the laser fiber was placed into these veins through a vascular sheath or with the help of a catheter. After tumescent anesthesia was administered, the veins were ablated with laser by delivering 50-100 joules/cm energy to the vein wall. Following EVL ablations, 29 patients also underwent foam sclerotherapy to treat the remaining varicosities. After the EVL ablation +/- sclerotherapy, patients were followed- up with Doppler US at 1 week, and then 3, 6, and 12 months post procedure. RESULTS: In all patients EVL ablation was technically successful. Complications were minor and included transient visual disturbance due to foam sclerotherapy (n = 1), bruising/ ecchymoses (n = 24), postoperative pain (n = 16), and superficial thrombophlebitis (n = 6). All patients returned to normal activity within 2 days. During the 7 +/- 5 months (mean +/- SD) of follow-up, recurrent reflux was seen in only one patient, in both GSVs, which was successfully treated with foam sclerotherapy. CONCLUSION: EVL ablation is a safe and effective method for the management of saphenous vein insufficiency.     

Endovenous laser treatment of incompetent below-knee great saphenous veins

PURPOSE: To test the hypotheses that below-knee great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux after successful ablation of the incompetent above-knee GSV is a cause of incomplete clinical success and that endovenous laser treatment (ELT) of the incompetent below-knee GSV can safely eliminate persistent symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The author evaluated 576 consecutive ELT procedures of the GSV. Fifty ELT procedures in incompetent calf GSVs were included in this study. Patients with reflux of the entire GSV were selected. All patients underwent clinical and ultrasonographic (US) follow-up. RESULTS: In 16 of the 50 procedures, ELT was performed in the GSV both above and below the knee in separate sessions. In 34 procedures, ELT of the GSV above and below the knee was performed at the same session. An 810-nm laser was used at 14 W. The mean energy was 82 j/cm (range, 56.4-114 j/cm; standard deviation [SD], 14 j/cm). The mean follow-up was 11 months (range, 0-28 months; SD, 7 months). Four paresthesias occurred. Medial ankle pain resolved in all patients, and swelling resolved in all but six limbs. No recanalization occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incompetence of the entire GSV treated with only ELT of the above-knee GSV experienced incomplete relief of medial ankle pain and swelling; however, symptomatic relief is obtained safely and effectively with additional ELT of the below-knee GSV.     

Endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein with a 980-nm diode laser in continuous mode: early treatment failures and successful repeat treatments

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of lower-energy endovenous laser treatment for great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence and treatment parameters associated with early treatment failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive endovenous laser treatments (32 left, 28 right; 57 initial treatments, three repeat treatments) in 48 patients (13 men, 35 women; mean age, 55.2 +/- 12.9 years), with bilateral treatments in nine patients, were studied. Preprocedural clinical signs, etiology, anatomy, and physiologic classifications demonstrated class 2 limbs in 11.7% of cases, class 3 limbs in 25.0%, class 4 limbs in 48.3%, and class 5 limbs in 15.0%. All initial and repeat treatments were performed with lower-energy with use of a 980-nm diode endovenous laser at 11 W in continuous mode. Patients wore class II compression stockings for 2 weeks and were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months with clinical and duplex ultrasound examinations. Treatment failures were diagnosed at 3 months on the basis of GSV patency or lack of clinical improvement. Diameter and length of GSV treated, treatment energy parameters, and clinical outcomes were prospectively measured and compared between successful and failed treatments. RESULTS: The initial treatment success rate was 94.7% (54 of 57). The mean maximum diameter of successfully treated GSVs was 1.12 +/- 0.52 cm, and the mean maximum diameter of GSVs in which treatment failure occurred was 2.05 +/- 0.23 cm (P = .008). Mean total energy applied for successful treatments was 1,131.3 +/- 248.1 J, and mean total energy applied for failed treatments was 1,439.6 +/- 425.0 J (P = 0.053). Mean unit energy applied for successful treatments was 32.7 +/- 7.5 J/cm, and that for failed treatments was 32.8 +/- 4.9 J/cm (P = .986). All patients in whom treatment failed were successfully treated again with a mean total energy of 1,393.0 +/- 81.0 J and a mean unit energy of 29.4 +/- 4.9 J/cm. There were no significant differences in mean total energy or unit energy applied among successful, failed, and repeat treatments (P > .05). Mean follow-up duration was 6.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endovenous laser treatment with lower energy appears to be safe and effective. Larger GSV diameter is associated with early treatment failures.     

Endovenous obliteration with radiofrequency-resistive heating for greater saphenous vein insufficiency: a feasibility study

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of ultrasound (US)- and fluoroscopy-guided endovenous saphenous vein obliteration with radiofrequency (RF)-resistive heating in the treatment of primary venous insufficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty legs of 27 patients with mild to moderate varicose veins and primary greater saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency diagnosed with duplex US were treated. An endovenous catheter was inserted via US-guided percutaneous puncture or a skin incision. Fluoroscopy and US were used to locate the electrodes at the saphenofemoral junction. GSVs were occluded with RF-resistive heating. Local phlebectomies or sclerotherapy were performed in all procedures to treat varicose veins and teleangiectases. Persistence of vein occlusion and complications potentially attributable to endovenous treatment were assessed at 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 9.6 months (SD, 3.8 mo). By the time of the last follow-up visit, occlusion of the treated segment of the GSV had been achieved in 22 legs (73.3%). Persisting patency or recanalization of the GSV was detected in eight legs (26.7%). One patient (3.3%) had varicosity-related symptoms, and three treated legs (10%) had recurrent or new varicosities. Postoperative complications included saphenous nerve paresthesia in three legs (10%) and thermal skin injury in one limb (3.3%). CONCLUSION: Endovenous obliteration employing RF-resistive heating is a relatively safe and promising minimally invasive technique for the treatment of primary GSV insufficiency.     

Arteriovenous fistula after endovenous laser treatment of the short saphenous vein

Reports of major complications from endovenous laser treatment of saphenous veins with use of perivenous tumescent anesthesia are very rare. The author reports a major complication of endovenous laser treatment, the creation of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula. The fistula was created between the short saphenous vein (SSV) and the superficial sural artery in the popliteal fossa during endovenous laser treatment of the SSV. The proximity of the superficial sural artery and the SSV in the popliteal fossa increases the risk of fistula formation. Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography can demonstrate potentially dangerous anatomic relationships between the vein segment intended for treatment and adjacent arteries. Recognition of these relationships should increase the operator's ability to minimize the risk of AV fistula formation.     

Prospective evaluation of higher energy great saphenous vein endovenous laser treatment

PURPOSE: In this study, the hypothesis that higher energy dose improves procedural success without increasing complications was prospectively evaluated by performing endovenous laser therapy (ELT) at energies greater than 80 J/cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive great saphenous (GSV), anterior accessory great saphenous (AAGSV), or posterior accessory great saphenous (PAGSV) veins were treated with the intent to deliver an energy dose of greater than 80 J/cm. Eighty-one patients (64 women, 17 men) were treated. Mean age was 49 years (range, 25-77 years; SD, 12 years). Ultrasound (US) and clinical follow-up was performed at 1 week, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months until all veins had at least 3 months of follow-up. Success was defined as absence of reflux throughout the entire treated segment on follow-up US and clinical resolution of symptoms. Incomplete vein ablation was defined as US evidence of flow in a segment of a treated vein at any point during the follow-up period. RESULTS: One hundred veins were treated with an average energy of 95 J/cm (range, 57-145 J/cm; SD, 16 J/cm). Follow-up and success at 1 week was 100%. Four veins could not be followed up beyond 1 week. Of the 96 remaining veins all had 3 months follow-up with an average follow-up of 9 months (range, 3-13 months; SD, 4 months). There were five failures and 91 successes for a success rate of 95%. Four of the treatment successes demonstrated segmental patency but no reflux on US for a complete vein ablation rate of 91%. No major complications occurred. The treatment failures occurred at an average energy dose of 98 J/cm. Two of the three failures were AAGSVs, one was a GSV ipsilateral to one of the failed AAGSVs, and two were bilateral GSVs treated during the same procedure. Average body mass index (BMI) was 30 for the successes and 46 for the failures. This difference was statistically significant (P = .0009). The mean length of the failed treatments from the saphenofemoral junction to their termination into a varicose tributary was 10.9 (range, 8-15 cm; SD, 3.7 cm). This was significantly less than the length of the successful treatments (P = .000003). CONCLUSION: Higher energy GSV ELT is safe and highly successful.     

两种方法治疗大隐静脉曲张疗效比较

目的比较腔内半导体激光和手术治疗大隐静脉曲张的临床疗效。方法 220例（310条腿）大隐静脉曲张患者中,120例（160条腿）行腔内D-980半导体激光治疗（激光组）,其余均行手术治疗（手术组）,比较两组平均手术时间、出血量、住院时间及并发症等。结果与手术组比较,激光组手术时间短、出血量少、住院时间短,恢复快,组织创伤小,创面无瘢痕。结论腔內激光治疗大隐静脉曲张较传统手术有明显优势。     

介入法腔内射频闭合术治疗大隐静脉曲张

目的探讨介入法腔内射频闭合术治疗大隐静脉曲张的疗效。方法在透视引导下,采用局麻下介入穿刺插管方法,对24例患者共计30条肢体曲张静脉进行膝上段大隐静脉腔内闭合治疗,射频导管将血管壁加热至85℃使血管腔闭合。结果30条肢体静脉曲张均成功完成腔内闭合治疗,技术成功率100%,平均每条肢体血管闭合治疗时间17.8min,平均住院时间4.9d。随访1周～9个月,所有患者下肢活动后酸痛、肿胀、乏力感明显减轻或消失;46.7%(14/30)小腿部明显迂曲扩张的静脉消失,53.3%(16/30)患者腿部曲张的浅静脉明显减少。8例患者小腿部皮肤色素沉着、皮肤增厚症状减轻,3例静脉性溃疡愈合。术后血管超声或血管造影复查,83.3%(25/30)大隐静脉主干闭塞,16.7%(5/30)血管内径减小,血流减慢。无下肢深静脉血栓形成,无皮下血肿、感染、麻醉意外等并发症。结论腔内射频闭合大隐静脉曲张具有创伤小、恢复快、腿部无瘢痕残留等优点,是一种可部分替代传统大隐静脉高位结扎剥脱术的有效方法。     

Endovenous laser ablation for the treatment of varicose veins

Lower extremity venous insufficiency secondary to saphenous vein insufficiency is a common medical condition that decreases a patient's quality of life. Traditionally treated with high ligation and stripping, minimally invasive procedures using endovenous thermal ablation techniques, such as endovenous laser ablation, have evolved. The use of detailed imaging and advances in the understanding of the anatomy of truncal vein insufficiency are important for performing the endovenous laser ablation procedure successfully. Endovenous laser ablation eliminates reflux with less morbidity, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic results with high patient satisfaction. As such, it has become the preferred treatment method for varicose veins since it was first introduced a decade ago.     

The fate of calf perforator veins after saphenous vein laser ablation

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess hemodynamic changes in calf perforator veins (PVs) after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of saphenous veins.

METHODS

The series comprised 60 limbs of 41 patients (27 female, 14 male; median age, 43 years [range, 22–78 years]) who underwent EVLA for varicose veins. All patients were prospectively evaluated by means of color Doppler ultrasonography before and after the procedure.

RESULTS

EVLA did not change the rate of incompetent PVs (preoperatively, 154/483 [32%] vs. postoperatively, 167/501 [33%]; P = 0.173), but significantly increased the total number of all PVs (n=483 vs. n=501, P = 0.036). Following EVLA, 28% of the limbs had thrombosis of PVs, 34% had new US-detectable PVs, 42% showed new competency, and 52% showed new incompetency. New competent PVs were found more commonly in the medial leg (ablation site) than the lateral leg (nonablation site) (28.3% vs. 11.7%, P = 0.016), while new incompetent PVs were found more commonly in nonablation site than ablation site (31.7% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.086). Additionally, new competent PVs in the posterior leg were found more often in patients who had small saphenous vein ablation than patients who did not (30% vs. 0%, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

EVLA induces numerous changes in calf PVs. These changes seem to result from flow offloading in ablation site and onloading in nonablation site in the early postablation period.Perforator veins (PVs) connect the superficial veins with the deep venous system, and are usually seen in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). However, the role of PVs in the cause and management of varicose veins and CVD continues to be debated despite significant research and clinical experience (1–3). The prevalence and diameter of PVs correlate well with the severity of CVD. Many previous reports have suggested that incompetent PVs may result in venous hypertension and play an important role in the development of recurrent varicose veins and nonhealing or recurrent venous ulcers after varicose vein surgery (4, 5).Elimination of superficial reflux has been classically accomplished through surgery. However, thermal ablation methods such as endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation are gradually becoming the treatment of choice (6, 7). The outcome of venous leg perforators after surgical eradication of superficial reflux has been reported in a few studies. Limited data show that superficial varicose surgery abolishes incompetence in some calf perforators and offer protection against development of new perforator incompetence (8). Ligation and stripping of great saphenous vein (GSV), ligation of small saphenous vein (SSV) with or without phlebectomies eliminate the reflux in 20% to 55% of limbs with preoperative incompetent PVs (8–11). However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no data in the literature about the effect of laser ablation of saphenous veins on leg perforators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphologic and hemodynamic changes in the calf perforators after EVLA of saphenous veins and elucidate factors that influence these changes.     

Ovarian vein embolization for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: long-term technical and clinical results

PURPOSE: Ovarian vein embolization has been used recently to treat pelvic congestion syndrome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ovarian vein embolization in the treatment of symptomatic pelvic varices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed ovarian vein embolization in 41 patients (mean age, 37.8 years; range, 30-58 years): 32 patients underwent unilateral embolization and nine patients underwent bilateral embolization. All had lower abdominal pain and pelvic varicosities were found on retrograde ovarian vein venography. Embolization was performed with a mixture of enbucrilate and lipiodized oil in all but one patient, in whom enbucrilate and minicoils were used. Initial technical success rate and clinical follow-up (1-61 months; mean, 19.9 months), conducted with use of mailed questionnaires, are reported. RESULTS: Initial technical success rate was 98%. Immediate complications were noted in two patients (4%) in the form of migration of some fragments of glue (used as embolic agent), which was treated conservatively. Clinical follow-up reveals variable symptomatic relief in 9.7% of cases and a total relief of symptoms in 58.5% of cases. Results in patients who had insufficient ovarian veins bilaterally were no better than those in patients for whom only the left ovarian vein was found insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter embolization of the ovarian veins is a safe and feasible technique leading to complete relief of symptoms in more than half of cases. No statistically significant difference in clinical outcome could be noted between patients presenting with bilateral insufficient ovarian veins, who underwent bilateral embolization, and patients presenting with an insufficient left ovarian vein, who underwent left unilateral embolization.     

Cutaneous thermal injury after endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein

Herein a case of cutaneous thermal injury in the leg of a patient who underwent endovenous laser (EVL) ablation of an incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) is reported. Follow-up ultrasonography (US) of the site of skin burn showed that the burn was directly over thrombosed superficial tributaries originating from the GSV, but medial to the treated GSV. At the level of skin burn, the thrombosed GSV was 22 mm deep, but the tributaries were 1 mm deep. In addition, US showed echogenic fat surrounding and conforming to the superficial thrombosed tributaries. Based on the clinical scenario and follow-up US findings, it was concluded that the cutaneous thermal injury resulted from heated blood traveling from the 22-mm-deep GSV to the superficial tributaries directly beneath the site of skin burn.     

腔内激光联合高低位结扎治疗下肢静脉曲张疗效分析

目的评价腔内激光联合高低位结扎治疗下肢静脉曲张的疗效和安全性。方法 185例下肢静脉曲张患者,行腔内激光治疗联合高低位大隐静脉高低结扎术。结果术后无严重并发症发生,疗效满意。结论静脉腔内激光联合高低位结扎治疗是一种简化操作、恢复快、腿部不留瘢痕、疗效可靠的方法,术后无复发。