Endovenous Laser Ablation of Varicose Veins of the Lower Extremities: Report of the relationship Between Vascular Access And Procedural Pain

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of vascular access (proximal or distal) on postoperative pain in patients diagnosed with isolated varicose small saphenous vein who underwent endovenous laser ablation. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 49 patients (35 female, 14 male) with isolated saphenous venous insufficiency were reviewed. Endovenous laser ablation was performed in all patients at an emission wavelength of 1470 nm, using 7 Watt laser energy at the proximal and distal ports. The pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale at 7 days, 1, 3 and 6 months. Results: In 30 of the 49 patients, vascular access was performed from the distal to the below the knee section of the small saphenous vein and in 19 cases from proximal to the small saphenous vein. The results of these two groups showed that access into the larger proximal part of the varicose vein provides an easy route with reduced local pain scores in the endovenous laser ablation of varicose veins (p<0.001). Conclusion: In patients diagnosed with isolated varicose small saphenous vein and undergoing endovenous laser ablation, the vascular access route (proximal or distal) did not have a significant effect on postoperative pain, but the proximal route was more easily accessed and the procedure lasted shorter.