Endovenous laser ablation for the treatment of varicose veins.

Lower extremity venous insufficiency secondary to saphenous vein insufficiency is a common medical condition that decreases a patient's quality of life. Traditionally treated with high ligation and stripping, minimally invasive procedures using endovenous thermal ablation techniques, such as endovenous laser ablation, have evolved. The use of detailed imaging and advances in the understanding of the anatomy of truncal vein insufficiency are important for performing the endovenous laser ablation procedure successfully. Endovenous laser ablation eliminates reflux with less morbidity, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic results with high patient satisfaction. As such, it has become the preferred treatment method for varicose veins since it was first introduced a decade ago.