Laser Treatment For Varicose Veins
Using lasers is a minimally invasive way to treat your varicose veins. It works by directly heating and sealing a vein which causes scar tissue to form, that disappears over time. We will cover all the basic questions you may have regarding this procedure in the current guide.
The content has been reviewed for quality and accuracy to the best of our knowledge by Qunomedical and its Medical Board of Experts.
JuliaPatient Manager“Qunomedical helped me so much! Thank you!“
“Qunomedical helped me so much! Thank you!“
Gallery
Illustration of laser treatment for varicose veins.
Illustration of laser treatment for varicose veins.
Laser Treatment For Varicose Veins Quick Details
WHO IS THIS FOR
Patients with varicose veins leading to discomfort in terms of sores, fatigue, pain or swelling.
Patients with varicose veins looking to improve the aesthetic of their leg.
TREATMENT DURATION
The procedure lasts for approximately 30 mins for one leg.
RECOVERY TIME
Typically a week if all post-op guidelines are followed.
SUCCESS
80-95%.
POTENTIAL RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS
Nerve damage
Small blood clots or Deep vein thrombosis
Skin burning or discoloration
How Does the Procedure Work?
Varicose veins are enlarged or swollen and appear twisted and bulgy, and are commonly on your legs. Endovenous (inside the veins) laser treatment is a minimally-invasive method to burn abnormal veins, which leads to the formation of dead tissue. Over time, the abnormal vein is destroyed. The entire procedure entails the following steps:
1. Your doctor will use an ultrasound machine to view and mark the veins that have to be treated.
2. You may receive a topical anaesthetic or small dosage of local anaesthesia.
3. A small incision is made on your leg through which a catheter is inserted up your vein. Then a laser fiber is put through the catheter. This is all visualized through an ultrasound machine.
4. The area surrounding the vein will be injected with anaesthesia via multiple small needles. This will allow the vein to collapse around the laser fiber.
5. Laser energy is then applied to the vein for a few minutes and then the catheter as well as the fiber are withdrawn. The energy from the laser cauterizes (burns) the vein, causing it to scar. The dead tissue is absorbed by the body over time and the varicose vein disappears.
6. As the final step, the incision is covered with a bandage.
What Should I Expect From This Procedure?
Here are a few important points regarding the procedure:
1. Though the treatment is useful for reducing varicosity and associated symptoms, it is not the method of choice when it comes for improving aesthetics. Laser treatment will improve the appearance of the veins but does not make them fully disappear.
2. The process itself is less painful than many other treatments for varicose veins and also has a much shorter recovery time.
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