Laser assisted foam sclerotherapy (LAFOS): a new approach to the treatment of incompetent saphenous veins.

In order to enhance the treatment of insufficient saphenous vein with sclerosing foam, we used a new technique called LAFOS (Laser Assisted FOam Sclerotherapy) in which a new specifically designed Ho: YAG 2100 nm laser has been used to shrink the vein immediately before sclerosing foam injection. This laser pretreatment is capable to significantly reduce vein diameter thus less foam volume is necessary to ablate the vein with lower chance of complications. The procedure is performed in ambulatory setting as anesthesia is not required. We are presenting the short time results of the first 50 cases treated by LAFOS.