Preminary Report: Initial Experience of Endovascular Laser Therapy for Varicose Veins Due To Greater Saphenous Vein Incompetence in Thailand
Surasak Leelaudomlipi, MD*, Suthus Sriphojanart, MD*, Panuwat Lersithichai, MD*, Theerapol Angkoolpakdeekul, MD*, Piyanuch Pootrakul, MD*, Suthus Horsirimanont, MD*, Sopha Lewrojshup, RN**, Sangiem Traihattasap, BSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital ** Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital
Background : Surgical venous stripping (SVS) is a standard treatment for varicose veins (VV) due to greater
saphenous vein incompetence (GSVI) but there are some disadvantages to and risks. Endovascular laser
(EVL) has been introduced to overcome these disadvantages. The present study was designed to determine
the effectiveness of EVL treatment for these patients.
Materials and Methods : The patients with VV due to GSVI diagnosed by duplex scan were recruited in the
present study. The EVL-procedure was percutaneously approached guiding by ultrasound under monitor
anesthetic care (MAC). Postoperative clinical and imaging assessment was assessed.
Results : There were 17 limbs with symptomatic VVs in 11 patients. Two patients were admitted for a reason
not related to surgery. The others were day cases. There was no postoperative complication except a large
echymosis in one case. At 3-month follow-up, no recanalization or recurrence was detected.
Conclusion : The authors’ early results demonstrated that EVL could obliterate VVs due to GSVI and further
showed some benefits over SVS. More studies with a longer period of follow-up are needed to further confirm
the efficacy of EVL.
Keywords : Varicose vein, Endovascular laser, Endovascular therapy
