Laser (EVLT)

Laser Therapy

EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy)

Endovenous Laser Treatment

EVLT involves the introduction a thin tube (catheter) into the main superficial vein on the inside of the thigh through a small skin incision over the inside of the knee. The procedure is performed with the patient awake and a local anaesthetic is used to numb the leg. The catheter is passed up the vein to the point of connection with the deep vein at the groin.

Ultrasound scanning is used to accurately position the tip of the catheter where the fibreoptic laser probe is sited. Activating the laser results in a heating effect inside the vein causing it to seal up. This usually causes varicose veins lower down in the leg to shrink and disappear over time in most patients. Foam sclerotherapy can be used after 4 weeks in cases with residual calf veins. The whole procedure takes less than 1 hour to perform and allows patients to return to their normal routine within 24 to 48 hours. In around 98 % of cases this technique is successful in obliterating the vein by the end of the procedure.

Complications of EVLT are uncommon however a small proportion of patients can experience discomfort or bruising of the leg being treated – in the majority of patients this will resolve within a short space of time. As with any varicose vein treatment there is also a very small risk of infection, sensory changes, phlebitis and very rarely, a deep venous thrombosis can occur (less than 1%).