OUTCOMES OF FLUSH ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION OF THE SUPERFICIAL VENOUS SYSTEM AT A TERTIARY ACADEMIC HOSPITAL IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA. lefa.shelile@gmail.com

 

OUTCOMES OF FLUSH ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION OF THE SUPERFICIAL VENOUS SYSTEM AT A TERTIARY ACADEMIC HOSPITAL IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA.

4

 

 

 

 

South Africa

Oral or Poster

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a common treatment for superficial venous reflux due to its low morbidity. Flush EVLA might prevent recurrence at the cost of a higher risk of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT). Data on flush EVLA outcomes are limited internationally and absent in South Africa.

This retrospective, single-centre cross-sectional study included 64 patients (age ≥18, CEAP C2–C6) who underwent flush EVLA of the great saphenous vein at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Pretoria (October 2021 – October 2023). Patients with incomplete procedures were excluded. Data included demographics, CEAP classification, and post-operative outcomes (especially EHIT). Analysis was descriptive, and ethical approval was obtained (SMUREC/M/453/2023:PG).

The mean age was 56 years, and 72% of patients were female. The CEAP classes ranged from C2 to C6, with C2 (35%) and C6 (31%) being the most common. Technical success was 100%. 25 patients were noted to have minor bruising, and 2 patients were noted to have haematoma formation, with no major complications. Follow-up duplex ultrasound at two weeks showed no EHIT or residual reflux.

Flush EVLA was performed safely and effectively in this series, with 100% technical success and no EHIT at two-week follow-up. Flush EVLA performed in a tertiary institution in South Africa shows a comparable safety and feasibility profile. A more robust study is needed to show long term outcomes.