ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION

What is involved in this procedure?

Endovenous Laser Ablation is a procedure that can be used to treat larger veins that would traditionally have been removed by surgical stripping. The great advantage with this modern treatment is that there is no requirement for bed rest, inactivity or hospital admission and general anesthetic.

Ultrasound is used to monitor the treatment.

Local anesthetic is used so that discomfort is minimal. After making a small incision, a fine laser fibre is passed along the abnormal vein and the vein is heat-sealed. This prevents the accumulation of blood in the incompetent vessel and flow stops in the diseased vein. Larger veins generally respond well to this procedure with many patients surprised at the dramatic change in the appearance of their affected legs.

The recurrence of varicose veins is considered to be lower than vein stripping and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. The combination of EVLA and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy optimizes the success of treatment of large varicose veins.

After treatment you will need to walk for 40 minutes and then can resume most normal activities