Purpose: To report our experience with the use of endovenous laser ablation for the management of incompetence leg veins. Material & Methods: 4,500 patients with varicose veins were subjected to laser ablation over a period of six years. A 1470 nm diode laser was introduced percutaneously into the incompetent vein or perforator via a 600-micron fiber which in turn was introduced through a 6 French catheter. Tumescent anesthesia comprising 0.2% lignocaine mixed with saline was injected perivenously.
The laser fiber was pulled back under ultrasound guidance as the laser energy was delivered, causing endothelial damage and collapse. Duplex ultrasound was used for the pre-operative mapping, catheter placement, tumescent anesthesia, and post-operative follow-up examinations. Compression sclerotherapy was performed for the treatment of associated superficial varicosities. Patients were…
