[5-year experience with varicose vein laser surgery]

The incidence of varicose veins in the lower limb is relatively frequent in Europe including Hungary.

Authors report their 5-year experience in varicose vein laser surgery focusing with regards to recurrence and complication rates.

Surgery was performed on 647 lower limbs in 546 patients with an age between 17 and 80 years. They were overweight in 4.6 % of cases. The diameter of treated saphenous veins was between 4 and 31 mm. Indications for surgery were recurrence in 9.1% of cases and crural ulcer in 4.0% of cases. Laser fibre was introduced into the varicose saphenous stems and then 980 nm, later 1470 nm wavelength laser was delivered while the fibre was step-by-step pulled-out. Following the learning period laser energy was raised from a mean of 28 J/cm to 164 J/cm because of high recurrence rate.

During the learning period the recurrence rate was 13.8% while it was 1.9% thereafter. Pulmonary embolism occurred in two cases, which could have been avoidable. Further minor complications were also noted.

Varicose vein laser surgery can be recommended because the recurrence rate is very low, major complications can be avoided and minor complications are temporary.