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.