Improved external valvuloplasty, intravenous laser photocoagulation and local sclerotheraphy treatment of primary deep venous valvular insufficiency: long term result

The purpose of this article is to report long-term follow-up of improved external vulvuloplasty, intravenous laser photocoagulation and local sclerotherapy treatment of primary deep venous valvular insufficiency in eight hundred and seventy-two patients from Nov. 2000 to May 2006. Patients were evaluated clinically and with duplex ultrasound at 1, 3, and 12 months, and yearly thereafter until the fifth year to assess treatment efficacy and adverse reactions. Successful occlusion of the great saphenous vein and absence of deep vein reflux on color Doppler imaging, were noted in 956 limbs of 852 cases( I month follow-up), 946 limbs of 842 cases (6 month to I year follow-up), 717 of 626 (1 similar to 2 year follow-up), 501 of 417 (2 similar to 3 year follow-up), 352 of 296 (3 similar to 5year follow-up), 142 of 106 (5 year follow-up) after initial treatment. The cumulative total number of recurrence of reflux. was fifteen cases. The respective competence rate was 95.18%, 96.23%, 94.23%, 95.25%, 94.23% and 94.12%. Of note, all recurrence occurred before 9 months, with the majority noted before 3 months. Bruising was noted in 0.7% of patients, tightness along the course of treated vein in 1.0% of limbs. There have been no paresthesia of cases, skin bums and deep vein thrombosis.