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Results of Endovenous Laser Therapy Procedure
Endovenous Laser Therapy
About the Procedure
Previously, treatment of painful, swollen varicose veins required a surgical procedure called vein stripping, where the vein was completely removed from the leg in a hospital operating room. More recently, endovenous laser therapy has been developed to treat the source of the problem by delivering laser energy through a small puncture in the leg to close the diseased vein. With Endovenous Laser Therapy, no surgery is required, and the entire procedure can be performed in about an hour in our outpatient facilities.
Preparation
No special preparation is necessary in advance of Endovenous Laser Therapy.
During the Procedure
During the procedure, you are awake and your leg is anesthetized. A thin laser fiber is inserted into the greater saphenous vein in your thigh. The Radiologist then will deliver laser energy through the fiber and into the vein, causing the vein to close. Ultrasound guidance is used to ensure proper laser placement. Most patients experience little or no pain during the procedure.
After the Procedure
After endovenous laser therapy, a gauze pad and tape will be placed over the puncture site and a compression stocking or compression bandage will be placed on your leg. You are encouraged to immediately walk following the procedure and resume normal activities. However, during the two weeks following your procedure you should avoid swimming, vigorous gym workouts, hot baths and excessive sun. You should expect to see some bruising along the treatment site as the vein disappears, which is normal and should gradually go away within a month. You may also feel some tenderness, tingling, itching or tightness in your treated leg during the two weeks following the procedure.
You may notice that your legs look and feel better within a few days. However, improvements may not be seen for up to two weeks.
Follow-up
Follow-up ultrasound examinations with your CRL VeinClinic
Interventional Radiologist will be scheduled a few days
following your procedure. Two additional appointments will
be scheduled over the next several months to monitor the
results of your treatment.
