2004 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 67-73
Chronic venous insufficiency of lower extremity causes varicose vein. The most important strategy for treatment of varicose vein is to eliminate the venous reflux at the saphenofemoral junction. For this purpose, new endovasculsr treatments using laser wave (endovascular laser treatment: EVLT) or radiofrequency wave (RF) were introduced recently. These minimally invasive treatments were done under local anesthesia using tumescent local anesthesia. In EVLT, a 810nm diode laser was widely used with a 600μm laser fiber introduced into the saphenous vein. Venous obliteration rates after initial EVLT reported in the literature were 97-100 %. There have been no skin burns, paresthesias, or deep vein thrombosis after EVLT.
During follow-up, venous obliteration was maintained in most of the cases. Because of the less expensive equipment, EVLT was cost-effective compared to RF.
EVLT is simple and effective. It should be recommended in minimally invasive treatment of varicose vein of lower extremities.
