Endovenous Laser Ablation of Incompetent Saphenous Veins with Using Radial Slim Fibers

Abstract

According to a new protocol with using radial slim-type fibers (diameter 1.27 mm), endovenous laser ablation was applied to consecutive 400 cases of great saphenous vein insufficiency. Above knee GSV was ablated by 7 W (LEED: 50–70 J/cm), below knee GSV was treated by 5 W (LEED: 20–25 J/cm), and tributary varices were ablated by 5 W (LEED: 30 J/cm). Postoperative complications significantly decreased from 6.7% (400 cases of the former protocol) to 2.4%. Saphenous nerve injuries were not noticed in any patients.