Endovenous laser ablation of the incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV), small saphenous vein (SSV), and GSV recurrences with stump (SR) using a new 1470 nm laser and fiber, 3-month results from a prospective single-centre study

Abstract

Introduction The thermal ablation of varicose saphenous veins of the lower extremities is a well-accepted treatment option in Germany due to its high efficacy, application safety, and high patient satisfaction. The objective of the prospective observational study (POS) was to investigate surgical success, patient satisfaction, and the occurrence of side effects in the treatment of the great saphenous vein (GSV), small saphenous vein (SSV), great saphenous vein recurrences (SR) using the ENDOTEQ 360 ° FUSED Fiber ™.

Material and Methods The ENDOTEQ 360 ° FUSED Fiber ™, operates at a wavelength of 1470 nm with a beam angle of 60°. A total number of 162 varicose veins (GSV n = 76, SSV n = 65, SR n = 25) in 144 patients were included in the POS and followed up over a period of 3 months. For the treatment of GSV and SR, a fibre with a core diameter of 600 µm, tip diameter of 1.8 mm and 8 W of energy was used. For the treatment of the SSV, a fibre with a core diameter of 400 µm, a tip diameter of 1.3 mm and 6 W of energy was selected.

Results At the follow-up visit 10–14 days post surgery (visit 2) and 3 months post surgery (visit 3), all thermally treated GSVs (n = 76) and SSVs (n = 65) were occluded. In the SR group (n = 25), at visit 2 follow-up, 96 % of SRs remained occluded, and 4 % were partially occluded. Visit 3 showed a closure rate of 80 %, a partial closure rate of 16 % and complete recanalisation in 4 % of treated veins. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) did not occur in any group. Sensitivity disorders were reported in 1.4 % of the GSV group at visit 3, 6.15 % in the SSV group and none in the SR group. Patient satisfaction was very high in all groups, VSCC improved significantly in all three groups.

Summary Treatment of GSV, SSV, and SR with the ENDOTEQ 360 ° FUSED Fiber ™ laser system is efficient, has low complication rates and high patient satisfaction.

Key words

endovenous laser treatment - great saphenous vein - small saphenous vein - great saphenous vein recurrences - laser - varicose veins

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