Author(s)

Celalettin Karatepe¹, Mustafa Aldemir², Bayer Çınar³, Akif Önalan⁴, Halim Issever⁵, Onur S. Goksel⁴

¹Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Medical Faculty, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Turkey.
²Cardiovascular Surgery Department, School of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
³Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Medical Park Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
⁴Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
⁵Biostatistics and Public Health Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Endovenous laser ablation is a relatively newer alternative to treat great saphenous vein insufficiency. We evaluated the efficiency and safety of treatment endovenous laser procedures on the different saphenous vein diameters with different energy levels. Methods: Data regarding endovenous laser ablation of symptomatic chronic great saphenous venous insufficiency in 209 patients were prospectively recorded. Patients were grouped into two main groups based on their diameters as 5 to 7 millimeters (Group A) or more than 7 millimeters (Group B). Patients in each group was randomized into two groups as >90 J/cm (A1 and B1) or 80-90 J/cm (A2 and B2). Postoperative outcome and complications were recorded during follow-ups at 1st week; 1st, 3rd and 6th months to examine the venous reflux and recanalization. Results: Perioperative complaints as pain, cramps and ankle swelling were more commonly observed in A1 group. Fatigue was more common in A2 and B2 groups. No major complications as deep vein thrombosis or skin burns were observed. Conclusions: Endovenous laser ablation is a safe and effective procedure with a high satisfaction rate shortening hospitalization durations and early ambulant activity. Pain, ankle swelling and fatigue are the most common minor complaints in the early postoperative period.

Endovenous Laser Ablation, Great Saphenous Vein, Varices

Karatepe, C. , Aldemir, M. , Çınar, B. , Önalan, A. , Issever, H. and Goksel, O. (2014) Higher Energy Does Not Mean Better Outcome Following Endovenous Laser Ablation of Great Saphenous Vein. World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 4, 200-205. doi: 10.4236/wjcs.2014.411029.