Saphenous nerve injury after endovenous laser ablation of incompetent greater saphenous vein: An electroneuromyography study

Abstract

Aim

To determine whether endovenous laser ablation of incompetent greater saphenous vein causes a detectable impairment in saphenous nerve conduction.

Material and methods

Thirty-five patients (mean age: 44.78 ± 8.6, male/female ratio: 16/19) who were operated on for incompetent greater saphenous veins, underwent electroneuromyography before and two weeks after the operation. Dysesthesia was questioned as to whether having unpleasant abnormal sensation after the operation. Positive electroneuromyography findings for saphenous nerve injury included a sensory nerve action potential amplitude <2 µV or a nerve conduction velocity <48.0 m/s or a latency onset >5.0 ms.

Results

Thirty-four patients were available at two-week follow-up. All patients achieved complete proximal closure. Three patients (8.8%) had dysesthesia at two weeks. Mean electroneuromyography values were not significantly different between preoperative and postoperative period. Postoperatively, none of the patients had abnormal sensory nerve action potential or latency onset, whereas nerve conduction velocity decreased below the lower limit in two patients. These two patients were not among those having dysesthesia and they had no other complaints.

Conclusion

Injury to saphenous nerve seems not likely during endovenous laser ablation of incompetent greater saphenous veins, as evidenced by normal electroneuromyography values found after the operation.