Early complications of endovenous laser ablation

Background: The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency, structure and characteristics of complications after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Methods: The study included 1247 consecutive patients (1417 limbs) with superficial venous insufficiency, treated with EVLA procedures with a wavelength of 1470 Inn and automatic pull-back traction of the fiber. Control examinations using Duplex ultrasound were carried out on the second day after EVLA, and in 2 weeks and 1 month after the EVLA procedure. In certain situations, including the detection of complications, timing of the follow-up visits varied. Results: In the postoperative period (up to 1 month after the procedure) complications were detected in 69 cases (4.87% of the EVLA procedures). Complications included the following: deep vein thrombosis (1.55%), pulmonary embolism (0.07%), pain syndrome (1.41%), abscess (0.07%), seroma (0.21%), fragmentations of the laser fiber (0.14%), hyperpigmentation (0.14%), and burn of the skin (0.07%) of the total number of EVLA procedures. Conclusions: EVLA is not a unique surgical method of treatment, and it has the same complications as any other surgical intervention. The complications rate in patients was 4.87% of EVLA procedures. Most complications can be avoided by developing a standard regulation on their detection and treatment as early as possible.