How does the procedure actually work?
Is loss of this vein a problem?
What are the complications of this procedure?
Am I at risk from the laser?
What is the alternative to this treatment?
Are there alternative minimally invasive treatments available?
How successful is EVLT®?

How does the procedure actually work?

The laser energy damages the vein walls, shrinking them and thus closing the faulty vein so that the blood can no longer flow through it.
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Is loss of this vein a problem?

No. There are many veins in the leg and after treatment the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to normal veins in order to make its way back to the heart.
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What are the complications of this procedure?

There are potential complications with any medical procedure however the only minimal complications experienced with the EVLT® Procedure have been a small number of cases of transient paresthesia (numbness).
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Am I at risk from the laser?

No. 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. Top

What is the alternative to this treatment?

Traditionally faulty Saphenous veins have been treated with surgical ligation and stripping. This involves at least two surgical incisions in order to tie off and pull out the faulty vein. It is usually performed under general anesthesia. EVLT® appears to have lower risk; shorter recovery period, lower costs and no scarring compared with surgery.
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Are there alternative minimally invasive treatments available?

Yes. The two common ones are ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (injection therapy) and radio frequency electrosurgery. Injection therapy for the Saphenous vein appears to have a high recurrence rate frequently requiring retreatment. However it is excellent for cosmetic treatment of any visible veins remaining after EVLT®.

Radiofrequency electrosurgery is more limited in the range of patients it can treat and the treatment time is longer than EVLT®. Top

How successful is EVLT®?

Early results have been extremely favorable with success rates as high as the conventional surgical approach¹, which is accepted as the 'gold standard' treatment. EVLT® will normally treat the cause of most varicose veins but additional/complimentary therapy may be necessary in some cases. Top