Abstract

Varicose veins are among the common problems affecting the quality of life. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) has been introduced as a noninvasive treatment for varicose veins. This study was performed according to the Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) protocol, and the results were reported based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. MeSH keywords were searched in several online databases. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using Cochran's Q test and I-2 index, and the random-effects model. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software version 2. EVLA success, recurrence and recanalization rates were 94.5, 10.3 and 3.6, respectively. EVLA complications in the treatment of varicose veins were ecchymosis (41.3), pain (26.1), bruising (24.2), induration (22.7), edema (8.3), phlebitis (4.8), dyspigmentation (4.1), venous thrombosis (3.7), thrombophlebitis (3.7), paresthesia (3.1), thermal injury (1.8), hematoma (1.7), cellulitis (1.4), bleeding (0.9), infection (0.9), nerve injury (0.9), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (0.6) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) (0.4). The success rate of EVLA increased with an increase in wavelength and peaked at 1470 nm (nm). The highest rate of recurrence and recanalization was at 810 nm and 940 nm, and the lowest was at 1470 nm. EVLA is an effective, less invasive and mostly safe treatment with no need to general anesthesia and also minor complications. The follow-up duration and geographical location of studies also provide insight into the differences in success rate, recurrence and recanalization rate of EVLA.