What is LASER treatment for Varicose Veins?
EVLA stands for Endovenous Laser Ablation. It may also be referred to as EVLT or endovenous laser treatment. This procedure uses laser energy to treat varicose veins under local anesthesia. This laser surgery for varicose veins is an outpatient procedure that discharges you on the same day and takes around 30 minutes to administer.
This method has many advantages over the traditional vein stripping method.
The patient also does not have any visible cuts, stitches, or scars after the procedure. These veins are usually enlarged and twisted. You can see them in a blue-green fashion on the surface of the skin. While not being detrimental, they can indeed cause discomfort while standing or sitting in the same posture for long hours.
You can find all the details for the laser treatment of varicose veins in the legs, hands, and other parts of the body here. The professionals at Medfin can take utmost care of your health to ensure that you leave the clinic having a brand-new life.
How does LASER treatment for Varicose Veins work?
EVLA is performed under local aesthetic. If you opt for this procedure, you will get admitted and discharged on the same day.
Always ensure to let your healthcare professional know about any underlying medical conditions including diabetes. If you are pregnant, the surgeon might or might not administer the laser treatment for varicose veins on spot. He or she will also guide you about the cost of laser treatment of varicose veins to ensure that there are no discrepancies once the procedure is complete.
The surgeon first maps your varicose veins and highlights them using ultrasound. A local aesthetic is injected around the veins and the surgeon ensures the fluid is in the right place using ultrasound.
The anaesthetic not only numbs the area around the veins but also causes the vein to contract to increase the precision of the procedure. The anaesthetic liquid also disperses the laser energy ensuring that there is no harm to tissues around the area.
You might however feel a slight tingling or pressure around the area. Your surgeon will also provide you protective glasses to secure you from the lasers. Thankfully, this procedure won’t be a painful one.
Under ultrasound guidance, a needle is put into the vein near the knee or ankle. A wire is passed into the vein and a long ‘sheath’ is passed up the vein to the top. This ‘sheath’ is a thin tube about the width of a pen refill. The ultrasound helps position the end of the sheath exactly.
The laser fiber is passed up inside the sheath until it comes out of the top. The laser is then switched on and both the laser and sheath are pulled back at the exact rate making sure that the vein is destroyed.
Once the procedure is complete, the affected area will be wrapped to ensure that there is no swelling. A little bleeding is common but nothing to worry about. Along with medications to numb the pain, you will also be advised not to do certain activities for a short duration to ensure that the veins are intact.
What are the risks of LASER treatment for Varicose Veins?
All surgeries have some risks. Some possible risks of laser varicose vein laser surgery include:
- Infection
- Pain over the vein
- Bruising
- Nerve damage
- Redness or swelling (inflammation) of the vein
- Blood clots
- Changes in skin color over the treated vein
- Burns
You may have other risks, depending on your general health. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have before your surgery.
Under extreme medical conditions, be sure to consult your surgeon regarding the laser treatment for varicose veins cost and the possible side effects of conducting the procedure with the medical conditions.
Usually, you will only need a day or two to spring back and start daily activities. However, your surgeon will suggest not doing any activity that involves a lot of movement through the affected area. Working out and picking weights will be prohibited for at least a week to avoid wear and tear.
In extreme cases, your doctor will prevent you from having the treatment due to complications arising through it. Assess yourself medically and only go through the surgery once you are deemed safe.
