Endovenous Laser Ablation EVLA EVLT endo venous

Varicose veins are a significant cause of both psychological and physical disability to many patients, yet they are usually ignored by traditional healthcare providers as being a “cosmetic” problem. In fact many patients experience symptoms from varicose veins including aching, throbbing and pain when standing for prolonged periods of time. Eventually they can cause staining of the skin and even ulceration on the lower legs.

Varicose veins arise when the valve within them which force blood back to the heart start to leak allowing back pressure to dilate the veins.

Older methods of treating varicose veins involved physically cutting the skin and surgically tying and then pulling the vein out from the top of the leg.

About Varicose Veins.

What is EVLA?

EVLA is a minimally invasive laser procedure that leaves no scars and can be performed as a day case.

The treatment takes about a couple of hours.

The veins are mapped out using an ultrasound machine. Next local anaesthetic is injected around the veins. A thin laser fibre is inserted into the vein through a tiny needle prick on the leg, usually near the knee. As the fibre is withdrawn, the laser energy is delivered to seal the faulty vein (see animation). Immediately after the procedure patients are encouraged to walk around to ensure that the blood flows normally in the leg. There some minor discomfort, pain or bruising following the procedure.