Endovenous laser ablation for short saphenous vein incompetence.

Conventional surgery for short saphenous vein (SSV) incompetence has a high incidence of recurrence and is associated with neurovascular injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) as an alternative to open surgery for SSV incompetence. Data were prospectively collected for all patients undergoing EVLA for SSV disease in our unit, including clinical outcomes and postoperative duplex. There were 368 EVLA procedures performed from April 2004 through December 2007, of which 66 (18%) were for SSV incompetence. Six (9%) SSV procedures were for recurrent disease after conventional surgery. Forty (61%) procedures were performed under local anesthesia, including four patients who underwent bilateral procedures at the same session. There were no intraoperative complications, and there was no evidence of neurovascular injury. During a median follow-up of 14 months (interquartile range 6-24) there was no clinical or duplex evidence of recurrence and no recanalization of the SSV. Our early results suggest that EVLA is a safe alternative to conventional surgery for the treatment of SSV incompetence in patients with C2-C4 disease. Bilateral procedures have been performed under local anesthesia.