Arterial false aneurysm in the groin following endovenous laser ablation

Abstract

Endovenous laser ablation is a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure for the treatment of varicose veins. The procedure involves injecting tumescent anaesthesia around the catheterised truncal vein, before thermal ablation by the laser. We report a case of a false aneurysm arising from a branch of the inferior epigastric artery, following endovenous laser ablation. The false aneurysm was thought to be caused by injury to the artery by the needle used to inject the tumescent anaesthesia. Although a rare complication, newer tumescentless techniques such as mechanicochemical ablation and cyanoacrylate glue would prevent such a complication.