Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities

Varicose veins are a disease in which the veins grow, dilate and lose their elasticity. The result of the disease is not only a noticeable cosmetic defect, but also the formation of ulcers accompanied by severe pain. Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is one of the most modern and painless ways to eliminate the disease.

Procedure transcription

Laser treatment of varicose veins is performed using an ultrasound duplex scanner. In this case, the erythrocytes absorb the laser energy by hemoglobin.

As a result, in a few seconds they are converted into heat energy, the value of which reaches 100 degrees. Blood plasma and its elements are boiling. This process can be compared to a kind of thermal burning of the walls of blood vessels, which causes blood clots.

After a short time, the veins dissolve and are almost invisible. If the disease is advanced, the operation should be repeated. This can be done 30-40 days in advance.

The popularity of the method is due to its internal advantages. The most important are:

1. The operation is performed in an outpatient setting. The patient spends only two hours in the clinic.
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2. procedure does not require the use of general anesthesia. It is sufficient to anesthetize only the place where the laser catheter is inserted into the vein. Due to this, the rehabilitation period is significantly shorter.
3. There is no need for drug treatment after surgery.
4. Specialists monitor the operation using ultrasound monitoring using color Doppler. This guarantees the correctness of the process.
5. There are no postoperative stitches, punctures or other cosmetic defects on the patient's skin surface after the operation.
6. The postoperative period does not require bed rest.
7. The operation is performed using a single device designed for endovascular intervention. This minimizes the risk of infection in the body.

These and other advantages confirm the effectiveness and efficiency of the procedure of laser removal of varicose veins.

Instructions for laser surgery

Laser treatment of varicose veins is indicated for patients diagnosed with enlargement of large and small sapenous vessels. In this case, the size of the expansion of the venous hole is not more than 1 cm, and the veins are evenly spaced without the formation of numerous curves.

The use of lasers will be effective only in the early stages of disease development.

For whom this method is prohibited

If the disease is in the second, third or fourth stage of development, laser removal of the leg veins is not recommended. The reason is that the vessel can grow again.

In addition, it should be noted that the laser affects a small part 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 the contraindications to the use of lasers, they can be divided into 2 groups:

• Absolutely.This includes cases where the use of a laser is strictly prohibited:
  • the patient is likely to develop thrombophlebitis;
  • chronic blood diseases are observed;
  • vascular walls have serious lesions.

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

• Relative.This group includes contraindications that force you to postpone laser surgery for a while:
  • Presence of wounds or ulcers on the surface of the patient's skin. They must be treated first. Otherwise, the possibility of complications in the postoperative period is not ruled out;
  • pregnancy and lactation. At this point, the woman's body weakens and there is a heavy load on the lower extremities;
  • overweight.

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

Preparation

One of the advantages of laser vein therapy is that the patient does not need to go through a long preparation period.

Preoperative preparation consists of a standardized examination, which includes the following manipulations:

• blood and urine analysis for the presence of blood sugar levels, blood clotting rate, blood biochemistry, Rh factor and blood group;
• Check for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases;
• fluorography;
• With the help of ultrasound, specialists accurately determine the location of dilatation in the vessels of the legs;
• If the patient is very anxious, sedatives are given.

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

Which method to choose

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

1. Compression therapy.The essence of the method is to use external compression of the vessels, which leads to a reduction in size. It is possible to increase the length of the vessel after surgery. Most patients need compression therapy for the rest of their lives. Laser surgery on the veins in the leg eliminates this need.
2. Phlebectomy.In this case, the vessel is surgically separated from the general vascular system. In this case, the patient's vein is completely removed, minimizing the recurrence of the disease. The disadvantage of this method is the mandatory use of general anesthesia, which increases the duration of rehabilitation to 3-4 weeks.

3. Sclerotherapy.This is an invasive treatment that uses a special foam. The patient is given a sclerosant, which causes the vessel to stick. The possibility of developing postoperative tissue scars, skin surface necrosis, allergies, migraines and other consequences is not ruled out.
4. Radiofrequency destruction of blood vessels.Conducted using radio waves. The catheter is inserted into a vein. Radio waves cause heat to accumulate and stick to the walls of blood vessels. This method is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.

EVLO from varicose veins is the most widespread and effective of all the above methods. The final decision on the choice of a method for the treatment of varicose veins can be made only after a thorough general examination and the recommendation of a specialist phlebologist.

Operation

Laser removal of varicose veins is a manipulation that does not take more than 30 minutes. It is implemented in several stages:

1. According to the pre-compiled map of the patient's veins, the specialist performs local anesthesia, where the holes will be made;
2. A laser-catheter is inserted into the vascular space;
3. The catheter is gradually inserted into the groin area and then retracted. In this case, the energy that causes the vessel to seal is dissipated.

To avoid damaging the mucous membrane of the eye, you must first wear goggles.

how long

One of the advantages of the method of laser coagulation of blood vessels in the legs is that the operation does not take more than 30 minutes.

After this period, the patient can leave the clinic alone. The short duration of the method is due to the lack of general anesthesia, as well as surgical incisions of the skin surface on the patient's feet.

Postoperative recovery

Laser therapy for varicose veins covers a short postoperative period. For proper passage, experts recommend that the patient follow the following rules:

1. wear compression garments;
2. Avoid heavy loads on the legs;
3. walk in nature as much as possible;
4. Perform an ultrasound 10-14 days after surgery. This will give the specialist a picture of the condition of the human blood vessels at the sites of intervention.

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

Results and possible outcomes

If laser vascular surgery is performed in time, the disease is very unlikely to return. After a few months, the patient returns to a normal and normal lifestyle.

Adverse effects after varicose vein removal in the legs are very rare. As a rule, there may be a slight pigmentation of the skin at the site of this puncture. It can be eliminated by taking 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 drawback of the method. The degree of development of this disease depends on the equipment used for the operation, the individual characteristics of the patient and other factors.

Despite the high price, this method is recognized as the most effective in the world.