Endovenous Laser Ablation and Sclerotherapy for Incompetent Vein of Giacomini

Abstract

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of endovenous laser ablation or ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for Giacomini vein insufficiency. This is the largest cohort of patients treated for Giacomini vein insufficiency with endovenous laser ablation or ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.

Material and methods: Over a three-year period, 23 females and nine males (age range, 19-67 years) treated for Giacomini vein insufficiency with or without saphenous vein insufficiency were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis of venous insufficiency was made by color Doppler ultrasonography. Symptomatic insufficiency of the Giacomini vein or the saphenous veins was treated with endovenous laser ablation. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy was used for tortuous incompetent Giacomini veins. The venous disease was categorized according to the clinical, etiological, anatomical, and pathological classification, and clinical severity was graded with the venous clinical severity score. Follow-up included clinical examination and color Doppler ultrasonography.

Results: Thirty-nine limbs in 32 patients were treated (25 endovenous laser ablation and seven ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy). All procedures were technically successful. One patient in the ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy group had a recurrence with successful repeated treatment. Recurrence was not seen in the endovenous laser ablation group. No complications were observed. All patients had resolution and improvement in 100% of their symptoms at 12 months of follow-up.

Conclusion: Giacomini vein insufficiency is mostly seen with insufficiency of the great saphenous vein and can be effectively treated with endovenous laser ablation or ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.