What is EVlt?
The procedure is performed in-office and under ultrasound guidance. An endovenous laser ablation, better known as an EVLT, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat refluxing saphenous veins. During the procedure, a small sheath(tube) is inserted into the vein through a small skin nick made by the doctor. A thin laser fiber is guided through the sheath until we reach the top of the vein. Once the laser fiber is in place, a local anesthetic is used to numb around the vein and create a buffer to prevent the burning of the surrounding tissue.
After the anesthetic has been administered around the vein, the laser fiber is turned on and slowly pulled out of the vein to ensure proper closure. Almost immediately blood is re-routed out of the unhealthy superficial vein, and other healthy veins pick up the remainder of the blood flow. After the procedure, there will be several small dressings placed along the length of the vein, and a compression sock will be worn for a total of seven days.
What Happens if I Don’t Treat My Varicose Veins?
Once they have developed varicose veins will usually worsen with time. This is true even if you make lifestyle changes to control them and to manage the pain. In most cases, these veins are simply unsightly, but they don’t cause long-term medical problems. In some cases, however, varicose veins can lead to ulcers or sores on your legs, blood clots, or chronic inflammation. If any of these symptoms develop, your varicose veins need to be treated and removed.
How Do I Prepare for Endovenous Laser Ablation?
As with most procedures, you’ll need to detail any medications you’re taking, including herbal supplements, to Dr. Menzies. You’ll list any allergies, especially to local anesthetic and to contrast materials. You’ll need to stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and blood thinners. That’s about it.
Recovery from laser Ablation procedure:
Following your treatment, we’ll put you in a gradient compression stocking to help reduce bruising and tenderness and to minimize the rare possibility of blood clot formation. The pressure also helps the body start going about the process of absorbing the closed-off vein. You’ll wear these compression stockings for one week.
You can return to normal activities and work almost immediately, we just ask that you abstain from strenuous activities for at least 72 hours. Being active is the best way to avoid the risk of developing blood clots, so we ask that you get up and walk several times throughout the day during the first 72 hours after the procedure.
Is Endovenous Laser Ablation Safe?
Endovenous laser ablation at Southwest Vein and Leg Center is very successful and there is a very low risk of complications. There is a rare possibility of deep vein thrombosis/clotting. Nerve damage to surface sensory veins is possible, but these nerves usually return to normal in a few weeks to months.
Although minimally invasive, endovenous laser ablation does have some potential complications, just like all surgical procedures. The chances of issues such as the development of blood clots is low, and the patient needs to weigh the problems associated with untreated varicose veins against the benefits of these procedures.
How Long After My Procedure Will I See My Results?
Most veins treated by our providers begin to decrease in size and visibility right after the procedure is over. Long-term results are impressive — most veins treated with laser ablation are effectively invisible, even to ultrasound, 12 months after the procedure. There isn’t any scarring, and there is very little, if any, discomfort. The treated vein will not return. Most patients begin to get relief from symptoms of venous reflux within a couple of weeks post procedure. The symptoms will continue to improve up to 6 months after the procedure was performed.
How Long Does the procedure Take?
These endovenous laser ablation treatments usually take just 20-30 minutes.