A rare complication of endovenous laser ablation: intravascular laser catheter breakage

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Mar 18:2013:bcr2013009012. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009012.

Abstract

During endovenous laser ablation, which is performed as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency of lower extremity and associated varicose veins, it was realised that the distal end of the catheter protecting the fibre sheared off; the retained catheter fragment in the saphenous vein was removed by a mini incision. Herein, we aim to present a rare complication of endovenous laser ablation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catheters / adverse effects*
  • Endovascular Procedures / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Failure
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy / instrumentation*
  • Laser Therapy / methods
  • Saphenous Vein*