Vacuum-assisted Laser Ablation (VALA) for Treatment of Large Saphenous Veins

Preoperatively all patients should be examined in a standing position clinically and with duplex ultrasound (DUS) marking of the diameters of the target great saphenous veins (GSV) or small saphenous veins (SSV) at the following levels:

• great saphenous vein: saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), vein ectasia below the SFJ by 3 cm, upper third of the thigh, middle third of the thigh, lower third of the thigh, upper third of the leg, middle third of the leg, lower third of the leg;

• small saphenous vein: saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ), ectasia below the SPJ by 3 cm, upper third of the leg, middle third of the leg, lower third of the leg.

It is recommended to calculate the required linear energy density (LEED) per centimeter of vein length using the following formula depending on the level of measurement of the target vein diameter: LEED=d*k, where LEED is the linear energy density (J/cm), "d" is the vein diameter (mm), "k" is the coefficient based on the measurement level: upper half of the thigh - 10, lower half of the thigh - 8, upper half of the leg - 6, lower half of the leg - 4.

Under local anesthesia, the target vein is punctured and the introducer is then installed. For the first group of patients (ELVeS Radial 2ring fiber), there is no need for preliminary preparation of the fiber. For the second group (ELVeS Radial 2ring Pro fiber), it is recommended to fill the ELVes Radial 2ring Pro catheter with a pre-prepared heparin solution (200 ml 0.9% Na Cl + 1 ml (5000) heparin) before use. Passing the fiber and installing it in the orifice of the target vein. Performing tumescent anesthesia (1000 ml 0.9% NaCl, 10 ml 2% lidocaine, 0.25 ml 0.1% adrenaline, 56 ml 4% sodium bicarbonate at room temperature) with recording the volume of the solution used. Performing EVLA with recording the parameters at different levels (power, extraction rate). When performing laser obliteration in patients of the second group, the ELVeS Radial 2ring Pro fiber catheter is connected to a vacuum suction using a high-pressure line to evacuate residual blood from the lumen of the vein during EVLA. Compression underwear of class 2 according to RAL or class 3 according to ASQUAL (23-32 mm Hg).