By Tim Liu, Medical Author and contributor to Vein News and www.VeinsVeinsVens.com
A recent study from teh Department of Surgery at the American University of Beirut investigated the long term outcomes of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the great saphenous veins in 168 patients.
The study was retrospective in analysis and followed patients for as mcuh as 9 year and an average followup of 4.4 years.
Patients were followed by Ultrasound Doppler imaging as well as clinical VCSS scores which have been a validated tool for following clinical symptomatology.
Here is a summary of the results:
1) Ultrasound follow up of 140 great saphenous veins showed that 64% had one or more cause of recurrence.
2) The presence of neovascularization correlated well with the lack of improvement of VCSS.
3) Among 140 treated great saphenous veins, reflux in the anterior accessory saphenous vein was the primary cause (23.5%) of recurrence.
Dr Karamanoukian's comment: This is a nice study from an experienced group at the American University of Beirut. The Varico-2 study also validated these results and showed that following EVLA of the great saphenous veins, the freedom of symptomaic anterior accessory saphenous vein refux at 5 years was 87%.
References:
Karam B, Moussally M, Nassar H, Attaya K, Jaafar R and Haddad F. Long term results of endovenous laser ablation of saphenous vein reflux: Up to 9 years of follow up. Phlebology 2021; 36(1): 43-47.
Lawson JA, Gauw SA, von Vlijmen CJ, Pronk P, Gaastra MTW, Tangelder MJ, Mooij MC. Prospective comparative cohort study evaluating incompetent great saphenous vein closure using radiofrequency-powered segmental ablation or 1470 nm endovenous laser ablation with radial-tip fibers (Varico-2 Study). J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2018; 6: 31-40.