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Endovenous laser treatment ( EVLT ) for the saphenous reflux and varicose veins: A follow‐up study
Author(s) -
Firouznia Kavous,
Ghanaati Hossein,
Hedayati Mahsa,
Shakiba Madjid,
Jalali Amir Hossein,
Mirsharifi Rasoul,
Dargahi Abbas
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1754-9485
pISSN - 1754-9477
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-9485.2012.02457.x
Subject(s) - medicine , reflux , varicose veins , varices , great saphenous vein , surgery , duplex ultrasonography , ablation , ultrasound , ultrasonography , radiology , disease , cirrhosis
Purpose The aim of this study is to report our experience about endovenous laser treatment ( EVLT ) for lower extremity varices in our centre which was followed by ultrasonography during the 6‐month period. Methods During a 1‐year period, 46 patients who were treated by EVLT with the 940‐nm diode laser for venous insufficiency enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of greater saphenous vein ( GSV ) incompetence with reflux was made by clinical evaluation and duplex D oppler examinations. Clinical outcomes, complications and duplex ultrasound of the GSV were assessed within 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, after the endovascular laser treatment. Results The mean age of our patients was 44 ± 11 years (24–70), and among them, 23 (50%) were male. Improvement in visible varicosity was seen in 39 (84.8%) patients after 6 months ( P value = 0.011). The baseline mean diameter of GSV was 4.9 ± 1.6 mm and it dropped to 3.5 ± 1.3 after 6 months ( P < 0.0001). After 6 months, 95.7% of our patients were satisfied and recommended this procedure to others. Conclusions Endovascular laser ablation seems to be a safe and effective method for the treatment of lower limb varices.