Introduction & Objective: Varicose veins are a common disorder which apart from heaviness and
discomfort may have more serious consequences. This has been done in past by surgery which has some
limitations and for this reason different methods to replace vein stripping have been tried. The aim of this
article is to evaluate the use of endovascular laser.
Materials & Methods: This study was a clinical trail. Patients with varicose veins due to saphenous
incompetence were treated with endovascular 980 nm diode laser as a treatment of venous reflux. Clinical and
duplex assessment of all patients was performed prior to operation and 10-14 days after operation.
Results: The numbers of 76 saphenous veins in 69 patients were treated by Endovenous laser, receiving
on average 2487 joules in 103 pulses in 154 seconds. The preoperative diameter of the saphenofemoral
junction was 10.58 mm and this compares with post laser diameter at 10-14 days of 7.42 mm. This difference
is statistically significant (students t test; P<0.001). Post laser examination showed that of the 76 saphenous
veins 73 were completely occluded up to the junction and in three veins only the upper 2-4 cm was patent but
the rest of the vein was occluded. 98% of patients were satisfied with the result of the treatment of the
varicose veins.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that endovascular 980 nm diode laser is 96% effective in ablating
incompetent saphenous vein with 98% satisfaction with the treatment. This method may help undecided
varicose vein sufferers to seek effective treatment