Catheter-directed endovenous laser ablation for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility and therapeutic effect of catheter-directed endovenous laser treatment in treating varicose veins of the lower extremities.Methods During the period from Aug.2011 to Aug.2012 a total of 30 patients with lower extremity varicosities(33 diseased legs in total) were admitted to authors' hospital.Catheter-directed endovenous laser ablation was carried out in all patients.After the treatment all the patients were followed up for 4-16 months with a mean of(8.2 ± 3.77) months.The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated and the complications were recorded.The results were analyzed.Results Endovenous laser treatment was successfully performed in all cases.The procedure time for a single leg was(45.0 ± 15.4) minutes.The hospitalization day of the patient after procedure was(3.17 ± 0.87) days.During the follow-up period,the varicosity-related symptoms such as the sense of heaviness,the skin pigmentation,the eczematide and the skin ulcer were remarkably relieved or even disappeared in all patients.Neither residual varicosity nor recurrent varicosity was seen.Conclusion For the treatment of lower extremity varicosities,catheter-directed endovenous laser ablation is safe,feasible,effective and minimally-invasive with satisfactory clinical result.Besides,the patient recovers quickly and the skin scar is very small.