Varicose veins are often the result of blood flowing backwards (refluxing) through faulty (incompetent) valves in the superficial venous system. The great saphenous vein and the small saphenous vein are the two main veins in the superficial system. When there is reflux in either of these veins, the back pressure can cause visible varicose veins. Factors that increase the chance of varicose vein formation are heredity, being overweight, pregnancy, prolonged sitting or standing, hormones and leg trauma. Varicose veins are often asymptomatic but cosmetically displeasing. Over time, untreated varicose veins can cause pain, inflammation (phlebitis), ankle swelling, skin damage, scarring, discolouration, spontaneous bleeding, blood clots or leg ulcers.
Endovenous laser therapy, EVLT (also known as Endovenous Laser Ablation or EVLA) is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that treats refluxing large veins. Developed in 1999 by physicians, EVLT has virtually replaced vein stripping or ligation in the United States and around the world. EVLT has success rates over 95-97% meaning that after four to five years or more the recurrence rate of varicose veins is less than three to five percent. EVLT has a very low complication rate and few side effects. A thorough investigation will confirm EVLT is appropriate for you.
EVLT involves inserting a laser fiber in the great saphenous vein above or below the level of the knee (after local anesthetic in the area) and feeding it up the great saphenous vein (the root of your problem) under ultrasound guidance. Anesthetic fluid is injected through the skin along the vein to surround the vein and compress it against the laser and protect the surrounding tissue from the heat of the laser. The laser is slowly withdrawn while firing. Firing of the laser inside the vein damages the inner vein wall and causes inflammation and eventually fibrosis (scarring) leading to closure of the vein. This will relieve the backflow pressure, which is causing your varicose veins.
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