5-year experience with varicose vein laser surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of varicose veins in the lower limb is relatively frequent in Europe including Hungary. Aim: Authors report their 5-year experience in varicose vein laser surgery focusing with regards to recurrence and complication rates. Patients and methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: Varicose vein laser surgery can be recommended because the recurrence rate is very low, major complications can be avoided and minor complications are temporary. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1863–1869.