Danielle K Moul1, Leland Housman2, Sara Romine3, Hubert Greenway3. 1. Private practice, Laguna Beach, California. Electronic address: daniellemoul@gmail.com. 2. Scripps Clinic Vein Center, San Diego, California. 3. Scripps Clinic Department of Mohs Surgery, La Jolla, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Venous insufficiency is a common medical condition affecting up to 50.5% of women and 30.1% of men. Endovenous laser ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that safely and effectively treats reflux involving the great and short saphenous veins. OBJECTIVE: We sought to present safety and efficacy data of 1171 endovenous laser ablations using the Scripps Clinic endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) protocol. METHODS: We conducted an institutional review board-approved, retrospective chart analysis of 1171 endovenous laser ablations performed from March 2007 until February 2011 treated at Scripps Clinic with the 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser with 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up data. RESULTS: Our current overall experience is greater than 2000 EVLT procedures. The mean follow-up for this case series of 1171 EVLT procedures (1066 great saphenous veins and 105 short saphenous veins) is 11.4 months with an overall closure success rate of 99.9% for patients not lost to follow-up. There has been no incidence of deep vein thrombosis, permanent nerve damage, or pulmonary embolism related to laser ablation. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective chart analysis, investigator bias, patients lost to follow-up, and lack of quality-of-life assessment are limitations. CONCLUSION: EVLT using a 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser appears to be a viable option for venous insufficiency and venous ulceration unresponsive to conservative treatment.
BACKGROUND:Venous insufficiency is a common medical condition affecting up to 50.5% of women and 30.1% of men. Endovenous laser ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that safely and effectively treats reflux involving the great and short saphenous veins. OBJECTIVE: We sought to present safety and efficacy data of 1171 endovenous laser ablations using the Scripps Clinic endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) protocol. METHODS: We conducted an institutional review board-approved, retrospective chart analysis of 1171 endovenous laser ablations performed from March 2007 until February 2011 treated at Scripps Clinic with the 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser with 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up data. RESULTS: Our current overall experience is greater than 2000 EVLT procedures. The mean follow-up for this case series of 1171 EVLT procedures (1066 great saphenous veins and 105 short saphenous veins) is 11.4 months with an overall closure success rate of 99.9% for patients not lost to follow-up. There has been no incidence of deep vein thrombosis, permanent nerve damage, or pulmonary embolism related to laser ablation. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective chart analysis, investigator bias, patients lost to follow-up, and lack of quality-of-life assessment are limitations. CONCLUSION: EVLT using a 1320-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser appears to be a viable option for venous insufficiency and venous ulceration unresponsive to conservative treatment.