Ultrasound surveillance in endoluminal laser treatment for varicose veins

Venous ultrasonography is an indispensable tool in minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of varicose veins. However, the criteria for defining preoperative imaging parameters, outcome monitoring, and follow up are not well characterized. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the ultrasound periprocedural parameters and the outcomes in 274 patients (280 limbs) after endoluminal laser treatment, at early (<30 days) and late (1–60 months) follow up. Treatment failure was defined as complete recanalization of the saphenous trunk, thigh perforator vein insufficiency, and recanalization of the proximal saphenous trunk. Judicious patient selection correlated with favorable outcome at the follow-up ultrasound examination.