RESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Terapia por Láser/métodos , Vena Safena/cirugía , Várices/cirugía , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Vena Safena/diagnóstico por imagen , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Ultrasonografía Doppler en Color , Ultrasonografía Intervencional , Várices/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Past studies have shown that dilated leg veins are symptomatic. It is not known, however, whether there are symptoms that are specific for vein disease and whether vein size alone predicts the presence of symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This study retrospectively compares groups matched by age and gender to determine to what degree vein disease is symptomatic, which symptoms have specificity for vein disease, and whether vein size alone predicts the presence of symptoms. RESULTS: Subjects with vein disease were found to be very symptomatic compared with controls. Specific symptoms were found to correlate with the presence of both small vein and large vein disease. Vein size alone did not predict the presence of symptoms. CONCLUSION: In evaluating the patient with leg symptoms the presence of specific symptoms increases the likelihood that vein disease is responsible independent of the size of the veins.