Laser treatment of varicose veins in the lower extremities

A disease in which the veins enlarge, dilate and lose elasticity is known as varicose veins. The result of the disease is not only a noticeable aesthetic defect, but also the formation of ulcers, which is accompanied by severe pain. Laser treatment of varicose veins in the lower extremities is one of the most modern and painless methods of eliminating the disease.

Transcript of the procedure

The laser treatment of varicose veins is performed using a duplex ultrasound scanner. In this case, the laser energy is absorbed by the hemoglobin of the erythrocytes.

As a result, in a few seconds they are converted to thermal energy, whose value reaches 100 degrees. Blood plasma and its elements boil. This process can be compared to a kind of thermal burn of the walls of the veins, which causes the formation of a blood clot.

After a short period of time, the veins dissolve and become almost invisible. If the disease is in an advanced form of development, it is necessary to repeat the operation. This cannot be done before 30-40 days.

The method's popularity is due to its inherent advantages. Among the most significant are the following:

1. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient spends only a few hours at the clinic.
2. The procedure does not require the use of general anesthesia. Just anesthetize only the place where the laser catheter is inserted into the vein. Thanks to this, the rehabilitation period is significantly shorter.
3. There is no need for drug therapy after surgery.
4. Experts monitor the progress of the operation using color Doppler ultrasound monitoring. This guarantees the accuracy of the process.
5. After surgery, there are no postoperative stitches, punctures or other cosmetic defects on the patient's skin surface.
6. The postoperative period does not require bed rest.
7. The operation is performed with a single instrument for endovascular intervention. Thanks to this, the risk of infection in the body is minimized.

The presence of these and other advantages confirms the effectiveness and efficiency of the laser varicose vein removal procedure.

Indications for laser surgery

Laser treatment of varicose veins is indicated for patients diagnosed with enlarged great and small saphenous veins. In this case, the size of the expansion of the venous orifice does not exceed 1 cm, and the vessels are located uniformly, without the formation of numerous curves.

The use of a laser will be effective only when the disease is in an early stage of development.

For whom this method is prohibited

Laser removal of the leg veins is not recommended if the disease is in the second, third or fourth stage of development. The reason is that it is possible that the vein will widen again.

In addition, it should be noted that the laser acts on a small area of ​​the vein, which prevents damage to the surrounding tissues. If a person has large venous lesions, the use of laser therapy will not give the desired result.

If we talk about contraindications for the use of lasers, they can be conditionally subdivided into 2 groups:

• Absolute.This includes cases in which the use of the laser is strictly prohibited:
  • the patient has the possibility of developing thrombophlebitis;
  • chronic blood diseases are observed;
  • the vein walls are severely damaged.

In these cases, the use of lasers can cause massive blood clots.

• Relative.This group includes contraindications that force you to postpone the laser operation for some time:
  • presence of wounds or ulcers on the patient's skin surface. They must first be healed. Otherwise, the possibility of complications in the postoperative period is not excluded;
  • period of pregnancy and lactation. At this point, the female body is weakened and there is also a heavy load on the lower limbs;
  • overweight.

If a patient has contraindications in the first group, experts recommend that he use a different method of treating varicose veins. If there are relative contraindications, it is necessary to eliminate them before using laser therapy.

Preparation

One of the advantages of venous laser treatment is that the patient does not have to go through a long preparatory period.

Preparation before the operation consists of conducting a standard examination, which includes the following manipulations:

• blood and urine analysis, in which the presence of sugar levels is determined, the degree of blood coagulability is determined, the blood biochemistry is performed, the Rh factor and the blood group are determined;
• HIV testing and the presence of sexually transmitted diseases;
fluorography
• ;
• with the help of ultrasound, experts accurately determine the location of the expansion in the leg veins;
• if the patient is very agitated, sedatives are administered.

After completing these manipulations, you can proceed to the operation itself.

Which method to choose

In addition to laser endovasal coagulation, several effective methods can be used to treat varicose veins. Among the most popular are the following:

1. Compression therapy.The essence of the method is to use the external compression of the veins, which leads to a decrease in their size. After the operation, it is possible for the vein to increase in length. In most patients, compression therapy is needed for the rest of their lives. Laser surgery on the veins in the legs eliminates this need.
2. Phlebectomy.In this case, the vein is surgically disconnected from the general venous system. In this case, the diseased vein is completely removed, which minimizes the recurrence of the disease. The disadvantage of this method is the mandatory use of general anesthesia, which leads to an increase in the rehabilitation period to up to 3 to 4 weeks.

3. Sclerotherapy.This is an invasive treatment that uses a special foam. The patient is injected with a sclerosing agent, which causes the vessel to stick together. The possibility of developing post-operative consequences such as tissue scarring, skin surface necrosis, allergies, migraines and others is not excluded.
4. Vein obliteration by radiofrequency.Performed using radio waves. The catheter is inserted into the vein. Radio waves cause heat to accumulate and stick to the walls of the veins. This method is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.

Of all the above methods, EVLO varicose veins is the most gentle and effective. The final decision on choosing a varicose vein treatment method can only be made after a thorough general examination and the recommendation of a specialist phlebologist.

Conducting the operation

Removing varicose veins with a laser is a manipulation that takes no more than 30 minutes. It is carried out in several stages:

1. According to the map of the patient's veins previously plotted, the specialist performs local anesthesia where the punctures will be performed;
2. a catheter equipped with a laser is inserted into the vessel cavity;
3. The catheter is gradually advanced to the groin area and then pulled back. In this case, energy is emitted, which leads to the sealing of the vein.

In order not to damage the mucous membrane of the eye, the patient must first wear goggles.

How long

One of the advantages of the laser vessel coagulation method on the legs is that the operation itself does not take more than 30 minutes.

After this period, the patient can leave the clinic on his own. The short duration of the method is due to the absence of general anesthesia, as well as surgical incisions on the skin surface in the patient's legs.

Postoperative recovery

Laser therapy for varicose veins involves a short postoperative period. In order to be approved correctly, experts recommend that the patient follow the following rules:

1. wear compression clothing;
2. avoid heavy loads on the legs;
3. walk in nature as much as possible;
4. perform an ultrasound 10-14 days after the operation. This will give the specialist an image of the state of the human veins at the intervention sites.

Within 2-3 months, the patient is fully recovered and ready to lead a normal life.

Results and possible consequences

If laser vein surgery is performed in a timely manner, the likelihood of the disease coming back again is very low. The patient returns to his normal and usual way of life after a few months.

The negative consequences after surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs are very rare. As a rule, it can be a light pigmentation of the skin in the places where the puncture was performed. It can be eliminated with medication.

Average cost of laser treatment

It is safe to say that the cost of laser treatment of varicose veins in the legs is the only disadvantage of the method. It depends on factors such as the degree of development of the disease, the equipment used for the operation, the individual characteristics of the patient and other factors.

Despite the high cost, this method is recognized worldwide as the most effective.