Endovenous 1470 nm laser treatment of the saphenous vein: early report of pain assessment.

Aim: The aim of the paper was to evaluate the rate of postoperative pain by using endovenous laser ablation with wave-length of 1470 nm for incompetent saphenous veins in our single center experience.

Methods: A non-randomized prospective trial was performed. Patients with symptomatic varicose small saphenous vein and great saphenous vein were considered suitable for endovenous laser ablation. The VenaCure EVLT™ (Angiodynamics, Queensbury, NY) generator was used to provide laser energy (1470 nm emission wavelength). Pain was assessed on the 7th days, 1st months, 3rd months, and 6th months using a visual analog scale rating of 0 cm (no pain) to 10 cm (worst imaginable pain).

Results: Of the 30 patients who eventually underwent endovenous laser ablation, 14 underwent bilateral treatment. Totally, 44 treated legs were scored. When questioned by using a visual analog scale pain score of 0-10, patients, on average, graded their pain 3.86 ± 1.04 at admission, 2.83 ± 0.91 at 1 week, 1.46 ± 0.63 at 1 month, 0.63 ± 0.49 at 3 months, and 0.07 ± 0.25 at 6 months. No major complication occurred, and there was no deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism nor skin ulceration.

Conclusion: Endovenous laser ablation for chronic venous insufficiency with a 1470-nm diode laser appears to be effective and safe. The procedure is simple to perform, well accepted by patients and relatively atraumatic.