Initial outcomes of endovenous laser ablation with 1940\u2009nm diode laser in the treatment of incompetent saphenous veins

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the initial outcomes of 1940\u2009nm diode laser in the treatment of incompetent saphenous veins. Methods This was a prospective observational study. We treated 89 patients with 160 incompetent saphenous veins using a 1940\u2009nm diode laser and bare fiber. The laser’s power was set to 4.5 W with a mean linear endovenous energy density of 50.4 J/cm. Results The one-month closure rate was 100%. The post-procedural pain score at 6 h, 1 day, 10 days, and 1 month was 0.85\u2009±\u20091.04, 0.65\u2009±\u20091.01, 0.82\u2009±\u20091.25, and 0.47\u2009±\u20090.82, respectively. Complications encountered included paresthesia (3.8%) and thrombophlebitis (4.4%), whereas no cases of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis were observed. Conclusion The 1940\u2009nm laser and bare fiber at 50.4 J/cm showed satisfactory initial outcomes with less pain and fewer complications, in the treatment of incompetent saphenous veins.