A pathological study on electrocoagulation and laser treatment for varicose veins of the lower extremity / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe pathological changes of varicose veins after electrocoagulation and endovenous laser treatment(EVLT) and to compare the efficacy between electrocoagulation and EVLT for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremity.Methods Twenty patients with varicose veins of the lower extremity were treated with either electrocoagulation(n=10) or EVLT(n=10).Histopathological changes of varicose veins were observed.Eight dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups and treated with electrocoagulation or EVLT.The treated veins were taken out at 0,7,and 14 days after operation,for histopathological examinations.Results After electrocoagulation or EVLT,the endothelial cells of varicose veins were absent,the structure of smooth muscle cells was indistinct,broken collagenous fibers and elastic fibers were observed,and thrombosis leading to occlusion was observed in the lumen.Incomplete thrombus organization and conglutination with the walls were observed 7 days after operation.Mild recanalization was found in both groups.On the 14th postoperative day,the hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells,collagenous fibers,and elastic fibers was detected.Complete thrombus organization was seen,and recanalization presented no obvious changes.ConclusionsBoth electrocoagulation and EVLT can lead to the occlusion of varicose veins,being effective therapeutic alternatives for varicose veins of the lower extremity.