Combination technique of tumescent anesthesia during endovenous laser therapy of saphenous vein insufficiency

Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of applying tumescent anesthesia before an ablation procedure and continuously during endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) (combined tumescent technique) of saphenous vein insufficiency to reduce the patients pain and discomfort. Methods: Twenty-five patients with 31 duplex-confirmed great saphenous vein insufficiency underwent endovenous laser (940 nm) varicose vein treatment between December 2009 and April 2010. The patients were randomized in two groups. In group A (15 patients) tumescent anesthesia was used before the ablation procedure and in group B (10 patients) tumescent anesthesia was used before and continuously during the procedure. Patients were scheduled for a three-day examination after EVLT to assess the level of pain experienced. Results: According to the statistic analysis we observed that the mean level of pain score for the patients given classical tumescent anesthesia showed a higher level (P=0.003) compared with the patients given tumescent anesthesia in the combined procedure. Conclusion: Combination technique of administering tumescent anesthesia before ablation and continuously during the EVLT procedure may be an alternative way to reduce the patient's peroperative pain and discomfort. (C) 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.