Endovenous Laser Ablation of Perforating Veins: Feasibility, Safety, and Occlusion Rate Using a 1,470-nm Laser and Bare-Tip Fiber.

PURPOSE: To describe technical feasibility and safety of perforating vein ablation with the use of a 1,470-nm laser and bare-tip fiber in the management of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 171 perforating veins were ablated in 101 limbs of 87 patients (mean age, 54.4 y; 79% female). Outcomes included sonographic occlusion of ablated perforator, subjective changes of insufficiency symptoms, incidence of procedure-related side effects (pain, hyperpigmentation), and complications (burn, infection, deep vein thrombosis, paresthesia). Correlation between perforator closure and patient symptoms was assessed by Pearson χ(2) test. Factors influencing failure of perforator closure were analyzed by analysis of variance.

RESULTS: Forty-nine perforating veins had previous great saphenous vein (GSV) interruption, 25 had previous small saphenous vein (SSV) interruption, 88 had previous GSV and SSV interruption, and 9 had competent saphenous systems. Ninety-one ablations were combined with microphlebectomy, 55 were combined with sclerotherapy, and 25 were performed alone. At 1 and 3 months' follow-up, 94% and 98% of ablated perforators were sonographically occluded, and 82% and 96% of patients noted complete symptom resolution, respectively. Complications included 5 cases of new-onset paresthesia and 1 case of nonocclusive deep vein thrombosis. Ablation failed in 10 perforators, and treatment failure showed significant correlations with higher clinical, etiology, anatomy, and physiology score (P = .002) and history of GSV/SSV interruption (P = .042).

CONCLUSIONS: Three-month closure of perforating veins is achievable by using a 1,470-nm laser and bare-tip fiber and can be safely performed alone or in combination with microphlebectomy or sclerotherapy at all stages of CVI severity.