Endovenous laser treatment of the incompetent greater saphenous vein.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), a novel percutaneous technique for occlusion of the incompetent greater saphenous vein (GSV).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety GSVs in 84 patients with reflux at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) into the GSV were treated endovenously with pulses of laser energy and evaluated in a prospective, nonrandomized, consecutive enrollment multicenter study. Patients were evaluated at 1 week and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months to determine efficacy and complications.

RESULTS: Eighty-seven of 90 GSVs (97%) were closed 1 week after initial treatment with endovenous laser. The remaining three GSVs were closed after repeat treatment. Eighty-nine of 90 GSVs (99%) remained closed for as long as 9 months according to serial duplex ultrasonography. Sonographic evaluation demonstrated 73% reduction in GSV diameter at 6 months (61 patients) and 81% reduction in GSV diameter at 9 months (26 patients) after EVLT. One patient developed a transient localized skin paresthesia. There have been no other minor or major complications.

CONCLUSIONS: EVLT of the incompetent GSV appears to be an extremely safe technique that yields impressive short-term results. Long-term follow-up is awaited.