Endovenous Laser Treatment
To thoroughly treat vein conditions, it’s important to begin at the root of the problem. For those suffering from varicose veins, the issue often originates in veins deep inside the leg, which can only be seen with ultrasound. If a deep, saphenous vein is leaking, this may be the underlying source of visible, bulging varicose veins.
Until recently, the only option was painful vein stripping surgery. During this invasive procedure, the saphenous vein was literally ripped from the groin to ankle. If the pain wasn’t enough to scare most people away, the risks of general anesthesia, prolonged recovery and unsightly scars, surely were. On top of that, vein stripping is performed in the hospital and can be quite expensive. Is it any wonder that so many people refused treatment?
Fortunately, there’s now a safer, more comfortable alternative to vein stripping, called endovenous laser treatment (EVLT). With EVLT, a slender catheter is inserted into the diseased vein through a tiny needle prick in the skin. Then, under ultrasound guidance, a laser fiber is positioned within the diseased vein. The energy of the laser causes the vein to close, rerouting the blood to the many healthy veins. The diseased vein becomes harmless fibrous tissue and is gradually absorbed by the body. Most patients drive themselves to and from the procedure and walk immediately afterwards.
| | Endovenous Laser Treatment | Surgical Stripping |
|---|
| Effectiveness |
High |
High |
| Where Performed |
Office |
Operating Room |
| Anesthesia |
Tumescent |
General |
| Pain During Procedure |
Low |
None |
| Pain After Procedure |
Low |
High |
| Downtime |
None |
High |
| Side Effects |
Temporary Bruising |
Numbness, Scarring, Infection |
| Cost |
Moderate |
High |
Covered by Medicare
and Most Insurance |
Yes |
Yes |
To learn if endovenous laser treatment is right for you, schedule your consultation today — 480-844-VEIN (8346).