A Study of the Outcomes of Endovenous Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Varicose Veins

Background Lower limb varicose veins affect 25 million people in worldwide, with complaints varying from purely cosmetic to debilitating disease, all of which require some sort of intervention Methodology 50 patients of varicose veins admitted under Department of Surgery in MGM Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad, from April 2014 to November 2015, were studied. All the patients underwent Endovenous Laser Therapy [ EVLT] under local anaesthesia under ultrasonography guidance using 980nm diode laser. Foam Sclerotherapy was given in case of any residual varicosities in the same sitting. Patients were followed up after 1week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months and regression of symptoms alongwith occurrence of any complications were noted. Results Most of the patients (58 %) complained of mild pain 1 week after the procedure, 34 % had no pain while 4 % had moderate pain. Dilated veins and bleeding disappeared immediately after EVLT. While edema, eczema, ulcers and itching disappeared with time. Pigmentation was still present in some patients at 6 months, but its intensity had significantly faded with time.62 % of the patients complained of pain, 16 % patients had ecchymosis, 10 % patients had paraesthesia and 2 % patients had a palpable superficial vein thrombus one week after the procedure, which disappeared before the 2nd follow-up visit (before 1 month). Only 4 % of our patients returned with recurrence. Conclusion The results of EVLT are comparable to the results of conventional surgery or other minimally invasive methods for the treatment of varicose veins.