Venous surgery has undergone a major paradigm shift of the past years from open surgical techniques to minimally invasive techniques -- so-called endovenous surgery.
Because these endovascular technologies are less invasive than older procedures, they are attractive to both patients and referring physicians. In addition, because they are gratifying to perform and often less morbid for patients, they have
been embraced by vascular surgeons and other interventional specialists. There are still many unresolved issues, however, which require further studies.The Vein Clinic
Until recent years, treatment for troublesome and unsightly varicose veins was itself often painful and required extended time for recovery.
Varicose veins develop when valves dilate and lose their function. When this occurs, blood pools in the veins causing them to bulge and take on a cordlike appearance. Weight change, pregnancy and aging can contribute to the development of varicose veins.
Traditional surgery for varicose veins, commonly called stripping, involves removing the main vein of the leg called the greater saphenous vein. The surgery — the only treatment option for many years — was invasive, sometime causing painful haematomas and scarring which required weeks for recovery.
To reduce these side effects other procedures, such as ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (which involves injection of an irritant into the vein causing it to close) and radio frequency closure (which delivers radio frequency to shrink and seal the vein) had been developed over the past couple of decades — but these procedures were more effective on smaller healthier veins and not as successful with the larger defective vessels that result in varicose veins.
In the last years, treatment for these defective veins was changed when a revolutionary new technique called endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) was developed.
Proven to be highly effective and safe since its introduction, the EVLA technique involves insertion of a thin laser through the vein under local anaesthesia and ultrasound imaging to locate the area of the vein that is not working.
Once the defective vein is located, the doctor then guides the laser to the problem area and proceeds to close off the vein that is not working, allowing smaller, healthier blood vessels to take over the task of circulating blood in that area.
Patients who undergo the procedure can resume normal daily activities in the next day, wear support stockings for about two weeks and can resume strenuous exercise.
Not only can EVLA be performed in an outpatient setting in a short period of time — between 20 minutes and one hour — it eliminates the risks associated with general anaesthesia and surgery and avoids the scarring associated with traditional varicose vein treatments.
While EVLA is suitable for most patients with varicose veins, it is important to discuss your individual vein health and possible treatments with your doctor.
This website has been prepared to answer questions about a variety of circulatory problems, ranging from cosmetic blemishes through to more serious underlying circulatory problems.
The site is intended to be a simple guide, answering commonly asked questions. It does not replace a formal consultation with a vascular or vein specialist, who will be in a better position to answer your questions fully.
If you have ANY questions at all, please give us a call +43 664 12 14 277 in Europe or (toll free in the United Kingdom) at 0845 652 0064