Indications and results of endovenous laser tratment (EVLT) for greater saphenous vein incompetentce. Our experience.

AIM: Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) seems to be a safe and less invasive method for the treatment of the great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence. The aim of our study was to evaluate the indications and results of EVLT. METHODS: Between January 2003 and October 2004, 77 patients (55 C3 and 22 C4) underwent EVLT. In 23 cases phlebectomy was performed, in 16 patients a subfascial perforator vein ligations occurred. In 62 patients we used a percutaneous access to the distal GSV, in 15 cases a surgical isolation was performed. In all cases a 600 nm with 1 mm diameter laser was used. RESULTS: Follow-up was performed for a period of 6 months and showed GSV recanalization in 2 cases; 18 patients (23.3%) developed a transient postoperative pain along GSV, in 4 (5.1%) of them the pain persisted for 3 months. In 6 cases a reversible paresthesia due to a lesion of the saphenous nerve were recorded (7.7%) and in 1 case (1.2%) a skin burn occurred. No deep vein thromboses were observed. CONCLUSIONS: EVLT is a safe technique, with low incidence of recanalizations and postoperative complications. Our opinion is to extend the indication in selected cases of GSV incompetence.