Effectiveness of endovenous laser ablation treatment of small saphenous vein insufficiency

Aim: In this study, effectiveness of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) treatment of small saphenous vein insufficiency which is less common than great saphenous vein insufficiency is investigated.Materials and Methods: Betweeen September 2008 ? February 2011 a sum of 70 patients (85 extremities), 27 male, 43 female, aged between 21-69 (mean; 43.26 ± 11.38) were diagnosed with small saphenous vein insufficiency and treated with EVLA followed up for 6-35 months were included in this study. To determine the severity of the venous disease Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Clinical Status-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification system were administered before the procedures. Patients were followed clinically and with Doppler Ultrasonography at 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and 1st year after the procedure. VCSS and CEAP evaluations were repeated at 1st year follow-up of 49 patients and 6th month follow-up of 21 patients.Results: Total occlusion was detected in 85 EVLA treated small saphenous veins and recanalization was not observed. Self-limiting superficial local thrombophlebitis was observed in 1 extremity (1.12%) as a minor complication. No major complication was observed. VCSS and CEAP evaluations repeated at 1st year follow-up of 49 patients and 6th month follow-up of 21 patients were compared with respective preprocedural values and significant decrease was observed.Conclusion: EVLA treatment in small saphenous vein insufficiency is an effective, easy to perform and well tolerated treatment with low rate of complications.Key Words: Endovenous laser ablation, small saphenous vein insufficiency, VCSS, CEAP