Abstract:
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endovenous laser treatment（EVLT）combined with foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins of the lower limbs.
Methods
A total of 101 cases（120 limbs）of lower extremities varicosity patients were treated with EVLT combined with foam sclerotherapy from June 2011 to December 2012，with proximal ligation of the great saphenous vein（GSV）performed first.After inserting retrogradely（from the point of ligation of GSV to ankle）or anterogradely（from ankle to the ligation of GSV）the optical fiber，the trunk of the GSV was treated with EVLT at a wave length of 810 nm.Sclerosing foam（a mixture of 1 ml lauromacrogol solution with 4 ml air）was then injected into the tributary of the GSV and varicose vein cluster.
Results
EVLT combined with foam sclerotherapy was performed successfully in all 101 cases at an average hospital stay of 4 days.Three patients developed chest tightness which improved spontaneously without specific treatment.Two patients were complained post-operatively of itchy throat and cough which relieved after anti-allergy treatment.Patients were followed up for 3-14 months，and 2 cases of partial residual varicose veins were treated by foam sclerotherapy again.Sixteen patients presented with active ulcer.Wound healing was achieved in 13 cases，1 case remained unhealed，and relapse was seen in 2 cases after 6 months.Eleven cases with thrombophlebitis were managed with physiotherapy.
Conclusions
EVLT combined with foam sclerotherapy is an effective approach with minimal invasion，simple manipulation and less complications.
Key words:
Lower extremities varicosity,
Endovenous laser therapy,
Foam sclerotherapy
Jiesheng Qian, Bin Zhou, Haofan Wang, Zaibo Jiang, Kangshun Zhu, Shouhai Guan, Mingsheng Huang, Zhengran Li, Hong Shan. Management of varicose veins of lower limbs with endovenous laser treatment（EVLT）combined with foam sclerotherapy[J]. Chinese Journal of Interventional Radiology(Electronic Edition), 2013, 01(02): 26-28.