Early complications of endovenous laser ablation.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency, structure and characteristics of complications after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).

METHODS

The study included 1247 consecutive patients (1417 limbs) with superficial venous insufficiency, treated with EVLA procedures with a wavelength of 1470 nm and automatic pull-back traction of the fiber. Control examinations using Duplex ultrasound were carried out on the second day after EVLA, and in 2 weeks and 1 month after the EVLA procedure. In certain situations, including the detection of complications, timing of the follow-up visits varied.

RESULTS

In the postoperative period (up to 1 month after the procedure) complications were detected in 69 cases (4.87% of the EVLA procedures). Complications included the following: deep vein thrombosis (1.55%), pulmonary embolism (0.07%), pain syndrome (1.41%), abscess (0.07%), seroma (0.21%), fragmentations of the laser fiber (0.14%), hyperpigmentation (0.14%), and burn of the skin (0.07%) of the total number of EVLA procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

EVLA is not a unique surgical method of treatment, and it has the same complications as any other surgical intervention. The complications rate in patients was 4.87% of EVLA procedures. Most complications can be avoided by developing a standard regulation on their detection and treatment as early as possible.