CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2014 June;27(3):177-8

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Retained laser fiber during endovenous laser ablation

Sarioglu S., Polat A., Erentug V.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

The laser fiber was retained in the great saphenous vein during endovenous laser ablation procedure. Herein, we describe how the fiber was extracted with minimized skin incisions. A 57-year-old female patient was scheduled for an endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) procedure for the venous reflux in her left great saphenous vein (GSV). The procedure was performed with spinal anesthesia. The ablation procedure was performed with 1470 nm radial laser using a pull-back system. The fiber broke after it was pulled for 3 cm. The fiber tip was palpated within GSV. Sequential skin incisions were performed and the vein was dissected from its surrounding tissues manually. The EVLA procedures are usually safe but not without complications. Each part of the system must be strictly controlled before the procedure. In case of a retained fiber, stripping with a wire may not be possible but complete stripping can be achieved with minimal skin incisions manually.