Early complications of endovenous laser ablation

Abstract

Background: The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency, structure and characteristics of complications after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Methods: The study included 1247 consecutive patients (1417 limbs) with superficial venous insufficiency, treated with EVLA procedures with a wavelength of 1470 nm and automatic pull-back traction of the fiber. Control examinations using Duplex ultrasound were carried out on the second day after EVLA, and in 2 weeks and 1 month after the EVLA procedure. In certain situations, including the detection of complications, timing of the follow-up visits varied. Results: In the postoperative period (up to 1 month after the procedure) complications were detected in 69 cases (4.87% of the EVLA procedures). Complications included the following: deep vein thrombosis (1.55%), pulmonary embolism (0.07%), pain syndrome (1.41%), abscess (0.07%), seroma (0.21%), fragmentations of the laser fiber (0.14%), hyperpigmentation (0.14%), and burn of the skin (0.07%) of the total number of EVLA procedures. Conclusions: EVLA is not a unique surgical method of treatment, and it has the same complications as any other surgical intervention. The complications rate in patients was 4.87% of EVLA procedures. Most complications can be avoided by developing a standard regulation on their detection and treatment as early as possible.

Suppurative Thrombophlebitis of Great Saphenous Vein after Endovenous Laser Ablation - Case Report

“…Otherwise, the incidence of thrombophlebitis after EVLA varies from 0-67% [11,12]. The most fearful complications such as deep vein thrombosis and consequent pulmonary embolism are rare-1,55% and 0,07%, respectively [13]. Another rare, but potentially life-threatening complication is suppurative thrombophlebitis.…”

“…Another rare, but potentially life-threatening complication is suppurative thrombophlebitis. Usually, it is a condition that occurs in critically ill patients during and after intravenous injection or catheter insertion [13]. Otherwise, even with meticulous preparation in the operation eld, there is always the risk of infection with the introduction of a foreign body into the veins.…”

Taxa de oclusão em veias safenas pós-endolaser de 1.470 nm e efeitos colaterais no seguimento de 1 ano

“…De forma geral, a pesquisa obteve proporções semelhantes a outras quanto aos efeitos adversos, inclusive não havendo efeitos colaterais graves e permanentes 11,19,20 . Especialmente em nossos dados, o fenômeno da dor pós-operatória teve certa relevância, estando, em alguns casos, associada a eritema local; no entanto, ela se resolveu dentro do período de 30 dias com o uso da analgesia não esteroidal.…”

Review on Laser Technology in Intravascular Imaging and Treatment

“…Experimental data suggested that EVLA with a 1470-nm laser diode and radial fibers provides stable and valuable long-term outcomes in patients with either GSV or SSV insufficiency [ 150 ]. However, EVLA is not a unique surgical method of treatment, and the complication rate in patients was 4.87% of EVLA procedures [ 151 ]. An unintended complication of EVLA is endothermal heat-induced thrombosis of the common femoral vein.…”

“…In EVLA, most complications can be avoided by developing a standard regulation on their detection and treatment as early as possible, such as deep vein thrombosis, pain syndrome, and fragmentation of the tip of the radial fiber [ 151 ]. Besides, ultrasound imaging has limitations for tracking the accurate location of the fiber tip inside small veins such as angular dependency and comet tail artifacts.…”