Our Procedures
EVLT® uses targeted laser energy to close the vein shut and helps in making you look and feel better fast. The benefits of the procedure are relief from heaviness in the legs, in addition to an overall wellness of being. You will have the confidence to show off your legs, regardless of the weather or season.
The EVLT® procedure is a minimally invasive laser procedure in treating varicose veins without scarring. The laser energy minimizes the vein walls, shrinking them and closing the faulty vein so that the blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates the bulging of the vein at its source. After the treatment, the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to the many normal veins in the leg. The procedure takes about 45 minutes with local anesthetic and is done on an outpatient procedure basis.
Less than 1 percent of patients develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from the laser ablation. Numbness has been known to occur in a small number of cases and on rare occasions can be permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Eczema, pigmentation on the area, ulceration, intermittent bleeding.
No. After treatment, the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to the many normal veins in the leg.
EVLT® aids with the problem rather than stagnating progression. There are no unpleasant compression stockings to be worn after the first week.
Minimal trauma to the leg and fewer side effects, there are no operative scars, general anesthesia, no hospital stay, and a much quicker recovery with less post treatment discomfort.
There may be a minor skin discoloration that will be gone after four weeks.
EndoVenous Laser Treatment
A laser fiber is fired inside and along the length of your faulty, varicose vein. The laser energy damages the vein walls, shrinking them closed so that blood can no longer flow through.
No. There are many veins in the leg and after treatment the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to normal veins with functional valves. The resulting increase in circulation will significantly relieve symptoms and improve appearance.
EVLT®, like all minimally invasive procedures, can potentially have some slight bruising, which commonly disappears within the first few weeks. With EVLT®, you will feel a delayed tightness (or “pulling” sensation) 4-7 days after laser treatment which is normal and expected following a successful treatment. All surgical procedures involve some element of risk and have the potential for complications. This should be balanced against the risk of complications if your varicose veins remain untreated. Consult your physician for further information.
You will be given a pair of special glasses to wear to protect your eyes, however this is just a precaution against accidental firing of laser energy outside the body.
Surgery (called ‘Ligation & Stripping’) is the traditional treatment, but it can be quite painful and often has a long recovery time. It is performed in a hospital, involves general anesthesia, leaves a scar, and has a fairly high recurrence rate (on average 10-25%). Other alternatives include ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (injection therapy) and radio frequency electrosurgery. Injection therapy for the saphenous vein has a high recurrence rate frequently requiring retreatment and is generally limited to smaller varicose and spider veins. Radiofrequency electrosurgery is more limited in the range of patients it can treat and the treatment time is longer than EVLT®.
Clinical data with up to 5 years of follow-up show success rates of 93-98%. This is much higher than surgical ligation and stripping, radiofrequency electrosurgery, and injection sclerotherapy. Market researchers predict that, based on its superior efficacy and lower morbidity, endovenous laser treatment will soon become the new ‘gold standard’.
EVLT®, when medically necessary (e.g., for relief of symptoms), is commonly reimbursed by most carriers (including Medicare), limiting the cost to the patient. Contact your specific insurer for details.
