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Endovenous laser photocoagulation (EVLP) for varicose veins
Cheng-Jen Chang1, Jun-Jin Chua
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan. chengjen@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|October 2, 2002
Summary
Endovenous laser photocoagulation (EVLP) effectively treats varicose veins with high success rates. This minimally invasive laser treatment offers a safe alternative to traditional surgery, minimizing complications.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Laser Therapeutics
Background:
- Untreated varicose veins pose significant health risks, including morbidity and mortality.
- Conventional treatments like compression stockings, sclerotherapy, and surgery have limitations.
- Laser-tissue interaction principles inspired a novel varicose vein treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endovenous laser photocoagulation (EVLP) for lower extremity varicose veins.
- To compare EVLP outcomes against conventional surgical methods.
- To assess the impact of EVLP on symptom relief, appearance, and disease progression.
Main Methods:
- 149 patients with 252 varicose greater saphenous veins underwent EVLP (1996-2000).
- Patients had primary varicose veins with documented saphenofemoral reflux.
- Neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (1064 nm) with a 600 µm optical fiber was used, with power set at 10-15 W.
- Surgical ligation of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) was performed in all patients.
Main Results:
- 96.8% of patients (141/149) showed remarkable improvement (P < 0.05) after a mean 19-month follow-up.
- Procedure times averaged 122 minutes for bilateral and 81 minutes for unilateral cases.
- Early complications included transient paresthesia (36.5%), ecchymosis/dyschromia (23.0%), and superficial burns (4.8%).
Conclusions:
- Endovenous laser photocoagulation (EVLP) is a simple and effective treatment for varicose veins.
- This less invasive approach significantly reduces complications compared to conventional surgery.
- EVLP demonstrates excellent outcomes with minimal long-term morbidity or mortality.