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Endovenous laser ablation safely, effectively treated saphenous veins

Endovenous laser ablation of great and short saphenous veins using a 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was safe with a high closure success rate up to 2 years, according to study results.

Researchers conducted a retrospective chart analysis of 1,171 endovenous laser ablations (EVLT; patients’ mean age, 56 years; 70% women) performed from March 2007 to February 2011 at the Scripps Clinic in California using a 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Follow-up data were available for 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.

Procedures included 1,066 great saphenous veins (GSV) and 105 short saphenous veins (SSV) with a mean follow-up of 11.4 months and an overall closure success rate of 99.9% for patients not lost to follow-up. No incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), permanent nerve damage or pulmonary embolism related to laser ablation was reported.

The analysis, which was subject to investigator bias, was considered a study limitation, along with lack of quality-of-life assessment and patients lost to long-term follow-up.

“This … is the largest reported study to our knowledge using a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser,” the researchers concluded. “Our closure success rates for patients not lost to follow-up and our side-effect profile are excellent with 0% incidence of DVT, and the procedure has been well tolerated.

“[A 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser] appears to be a viable option for venous insufficiency and venous ulceration unresponsive to conservative treatment.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.