Clinical analysis of complications in endovenous laser treatment for patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the causes and therapies for the complications induced by endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) in patients with varicose vein of lower limbs. METHODS: From December 2003 to October 2009, 283 cases (totally 361 lower limbs) treated by the endovenous laser treatment or combined with other treatment were analyzed retrospectively. There were 108 male and 175 female patients, with a mean age of 52 years (ranging from 17 to 83 years). The varicose vein occurred in left limb for 112 cases, right limbs for 93 cases and both limbs for 78 cases. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for average 18 months, during which 142 limbs showed skin bruises and/or hematoma, 47 limbs showed skin burns, 7 limbs showed phlebitis; all of these cases were cured. In addition 91 limbs appeared abnormal skin sensation, 87 of them were recovered and 4 improved. Two limbs were found with deep vein thrombosis in this series, after treatment one case was obviously improved and other was alleviated. CONCLUSIONS: EVLT is a effective therapy for varicose vein of lower limbs. But it may lead to some complications without right manipulations.