Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
Previously, treatment of painful, swollen varicose veins required a surgical procedure called vein stripping, where the vein was completely removed from the leg. Today, endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) has been developed to treat varicose veins by delivering laser energy through a small puncture in the leg to close the affected vein.
In EVLT, a thin laser fibre is inserted into the varicosed vein, generally through a small puncture around the knee. Laser energy is delivered through the fibre which causes the vein to close as the fibre is gradually removed.
Performed under ultrasound guidance and needing only a local anaesthetic, allows a more gentle "minimually-invasive" approach to the treatment of varicose veins. Although there is some post operative discomfort, this is usually minor and easily controlled with pain killers. There is virtually no scaring which is not the case with historical treatments such as surgical vein stripping. EVLT can be performed in less than an hour, and the patient is encouraged to walk immediately following the procedure.
The Laser Therapy Procedure
During the laser procedure, you will be given special eye glasses to protect your eyes against accidental exposure to laser light. Next, the treatment area will be anaesthetised with a local anaesthetic. A narrow tube called a catheter, is inserted into the vein. Ultrasound images are used to make sure it's in the right place.
A tiny laser device is then placed through the catheter and is passed up into position at the top of the vein. The device is then slowly pulled along the vein while the laser tip is monitored through the Ultrasound pictures. The laser is gradually pulled back, firing short bursts of energy, until it reaches the place where it was first put in. This heat seals the vein.
The Surrey Vein Clinic is one of the few innovators of EVLT in the United Kingdom and have achieved excellent results with this form of treatment. EVLT might not be suitable for all patients or varicose vein conditions. Please contact our clinic for more details or to arrange an initial consultation.
