Complications and pitfalls of endovenous laser therapy for varicose veins of lower extremities.

Abstract

Varicose veins of lower extremities are a common disorder affecting a significant proportion of adult population. Endovenous techniques have been used in clinical practice for more than 20 years for their radical treatment; of these, laser therapy is one of the most widely utilized options. However, this treatment modality, too, has its specific side effects and complications which can be divided into perioperative (difficult venous access, fiber or sheath damage, vasovagal reaction with a drop in blood pressure and bradycardia, cutaneous thermal injury), and postoperative (bruising and hematomas, exceptionally pain, superficial venous thrombosis (phlebitis) and fibrous cord formation or pigmentations). Paresthesias, infections, arteriovenous fistulas, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are very rare. The introduction of new generators with higher wavelengths and fibers with radial emission of laser energy has substantially reduced the side effects and complications. Performing the surgery in the outpatient setting using tumescent local anesthesia and under perioperative ultrasound control is an essential condition of the procedure.