Varicose Vein Laser Treatment

Best Endovenous Laser Therapy System, Sciton's Pro-V laser

Until a decade ago, vein ligation/stripping surgery was the only option for treating bulging leg varicose veins. This surgical procedure involved the physical removal of the targeted vein, requiring hospitalization, general anesthesia, and resulted in scarring and significant post-surgical pain and discomfort. Unlike traditional ligation/stripping surgery, Endovenous Laser Treatment for varicose veins (commonly Known as EVLT, ELT, EVLA) does not involve the physical removal of a vein; but relies on Ultrasound image guided thermal ablation (damaging and sealing with heat application) of the diseased varicose vein from within the vein by means of a laser fiber introduced through a slightly enlarged needle hole, near the targeted vein. Note that surface lasers intended for the laser removal of small superficial veins, such as spider veins, are not effective in treating the larger varicose veins and would cause significant damage to surrounding tissue before thermally destroying a vein. If interested in the application of surface lasers in vein treatment, click laser spider vein treatment or laser removal of facial veins.

Which Veins are Targets for Endovenous Laser Treatment?

Varicose Veins develop mainly when blood from deep veins flows in a reverse-flow-pattern into the superficial main veins of the leg, such as the saphenous veins and the connecting perforator veins. The resultant downward flow of blood with gravity, instead of the upward movement toward the heart, results in a condition known as venous reflux or venous insufficiency. If not treated, the latter may cause restless legs at night, leg cramps, heaviness and pain in the legs, and may progress into a number of more serious complications, such as hardening and pigmentation of the tissues above the ankle, bleeding, leg swelling (edema), venous congestion ulcers (venous stasis ulcers), and superficial venous thrombosis.

FIVE WEEKS AFTER EVLT TREATMENT OF ADVANCED CHRONIC VENOUS HYPERTENSION

Endovenous Laser Treatment targets incompetent saphenous and perforator veins for correcting the blood flow pattern and treating venous reflux. Once these incompetent veins are thermally ablated, blood ceases to flow in them, and instead, is redirected into healthy veins, and the blood-flow in the deep veins reverts to its normal pattern towards the heart. Within a few weeks following the treatment, the enlarged and bulging superficial veins adjust back to normal pressure conditions and the legs show dramatic visible improvement in their appearance. A few weeks following Endovenous Laser treatment, further cosmetic improvement can be achieved by treating the residual veins with microphlebectomy, foam sclerotherapy, or sclerotherapy. Note that the treatment of saphenous and perforator veins, when indicated, is often crucial for the achievement of lasting relief from symptoms associated with these veins and for creating conditions where it becomes possible to achieve predictable and long term improvement in the appearance of branch varicosities and other smaller unsightly veins. Note also that varicose veins may occur occasionally without any underlying venous reflux from the deep veins, although in most cases venous reflux is present, and as such, has to be actively sought out and diagnosed with Venous Duplex Ultrasound before proceeding forward with secondary treatment regimens targeting the visible surface veins.

Endovenous Laser Treatment - The Procedure

Your doctor will use Duplex Venous Ultrasound imaging to mark the anatomic location of the vein on the overlying skin. Additional points noted by your doctor would include the caliber of the vein, any significant side branches, curved or twisted segments in the vein, and the most suitable needle entry point into the vein—most commonly located just above or below the knee area, depending on which vein is targeted. The vein doctor will then insert a tube (catheter) in the vein and pass a laser fiber through it, using Ultrasound guidance. After carefully pushing the fiber inside the vein towards the targeted section of the vein, the doctor will inject an abundant quantity of numbing solution around the vein, which, besides its numbing action, acts like an insulating sleeve and protects the surrounding tissues from heat damage. As short bursts of laser energy are delivered and the fiber is withdrawn, the heat applied to the vein wall will destroy its regenerative capacity and the vein will shrink and eventually close. The session will end after wrapping the leg with bandages and applying compression stockings. Although, patients are awake during the procedure and are able to walk immediately, they are advised not to drive back home as the treated leg may be partially numb. Most patients resume their normal activities even on the next day, as pain is bearable and easily manageable with over-the-counter medications, such as Advil.

Note that since the introduction of this safe and effective varicose vein treatment a in the early 2000's, the Endovenous Laser ablation technique has received FDA approval and over one million procedures have been performed worldwide. In published clinical studies, the success rate for varicose vein treatment using Endovenous Laser Treatment ranges from 93-95 percent for the saphenous veins, with minimal side-effects or complications. It should be pointed out that in our experience with the more current Endovenous Laser Treatment system, this success rate runs at higher than 95 percent, an outcome as good or better than surgical ligation and stripping.

BEFORE AND AFTER EVLT PROCEDURE FOLLOWED BY SCLEROTHERAPY

Endovenous Laser Treatment System Used at Nu Vela Esthetica

At Nu Vela Esthetica, we are pleased to offer Sciton's Pro-V Endovenous Laser Treatment for varicose vein treatment, in addition to other treatment modalities for the comprehensive management of varicose veins and vein disease. Nu Vela Esthetica has chosen Sciton's Pro-V EVLT system because compared to other old generation EVLT systems it has a gentler nature and enables more precise control of heat delivery. In fact, until recently, clinical studies had consistently shown that the Venefit™ Targeted Endovenous Therapy system was superior to the older generations of Endovenous Varicose Vein Laser Treatment systems in producing less pain, bruising, and complications in the days following treatment. The Sciton Pro-V laser used at Nu Vela, however, is a newer generation laser that uses an optimal wavelength of 1319 nm. This wavelength is ideal for varicose vein treatment, because unlike some of the older laser systems used for EVLT, it targets the vein wall itself, and not the blood content of the vein. The result is a fast and comfortable varicose vein ablation with smooth recovery experience.

Dr. Dishakjian, the phlebologist (vein doctor) at the Vein Center, is a highly skilled physician in venous system treatments, including Endovenous Laser Treatment. Phlebologist are the experts in minimally invasive varicose vein treatment procedures, which require expertise in ultrasound and noninvasive needle and catheter techniques.

Preparing Yourself for the Treatment, Recovery, Advantages, Complications, and After Care

Instructions for preparing yourself for Endovenous Laser Treatment for varicose veins and aftercare are essentially the same as those recommended for Venefit™ Targeted Endovenous Therapy. Please click here to read these instructions, and to find answers related to complications and advantages of the procedure over surgical vein treatment techniques.

Who is Not a Good Candidate for Endovenous Laser Treatment?

Varicose veins treatment with Endovenous Laser Treatment should not be performed on candidates who are either immunocompromised, pregnant, unable to ambulate freely, and patients with

• bleeding abnormalities
• clots in the deep vein system or in the vein to be treated
• disease in the arteries of the legs
• localized or general infections
• rare arterial-venous communication in the segment to be treated

Questions About the Cost of Endovenous Laser Treatment or the Procedure?

Call 818-832-4500 for any queries regarding the cost of Endovenous Laser Treatment for varicose veins, insurance coverage, additional information, or scheduling a free consultation session with Dr. Dishakjian, the phlebologist of the Center. Note that Endovenous Laser Treatment is covered by most insurance plans and Medicare when the treatment is medically necessary.

Click vein treatment options to read about other treatments available at the Center.