Varicose Veins Laser Treatment

WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS?

Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. The term commonly refers to the veins in the leg, although varicose veins can occur elsewhere. Your vein have “one-way” valves to prevent the blood from flowing back down your limb. When these valves no longer work properly, the veins become enlarged and the vein wall becomes weakened and expands. Varicose veins are common in the superficial veins of the legs (for example the greater and lesser saphenous veins), which are subject to high pressure when standing. This shows through the outer skin of the leg as a twisted, lumpy line. Smaller veins, (spider veins), can also become varicose, showing as unsightly red threads. The good news is that, as these veins near the surface of your leg only return about 10% of the blood flow as (majority is carried by veins deep inside the leg) they can be removed or ablated without serious harm. Thus giving a significant cosmetic improvement.

Please note that besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins can be painful, especially when standing or walking. Serious complications are rare though. If you are in doubt about the veins in your leg, we advise that you check with your GP.

WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT METHODS FOR VARICOSE VEINS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are several possible treatments for varicose veins. Non-surgical procedures include elastic stockings, elevating the legs, and exercise. The traditional varicose veins surgery has been vein stripping (physically removing the affected veins under general anaesthetic). Newer surgical therapies such as sclerotherapy (a chemical injections to shrink the veins), endovenous laser therapy (Varicose Veins Laser Treatment) and miniphlebectomy are less invasive and are replacing the traditional surgical approach.

WHAT IS THE ENDOVENOUS LASER THERAPY?

Laser therapy is one of the most advanced method for varicose veins removal and is suitable for most patients (see note below on "can every patient be operated on"). Laser ablation of the greater saphenous vein in addition to miniphlebectomy is a safe surgical procedure, which removes varicose veins during 45 minutes of treatment. The procedure is performed using Ultrasonography to guide needle punctures of the vessel. A guidewire is placed into the vessel and passed proximally to the saphenofemoral junction and into the femoral vein. A long introducer sheath is passed over the guidewire, which is removed. A 980 nm long laser is removed and closes the vein. Skin injection and miniphlebectomy ensure perfect cosmetic effects without any scars.

WHAT IS MINIPHLEBECTOMY?

Miniphlebectomy is a treatment that can be used on small and large veins as an alternative to sclerotherapy. This method works by making tiny pinpoint holes with a needle similar in size to one that is used for drawing blood. Using specialized instruments, parts of the vein are then removed through these „pinpricks”, which are stitched by the surgeon. The tiny openings heal with nearly invisible scars. Usually prolonged stocking use is not necessary with this procedure. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic.

        
Leg before the procedure                      Leg 4 weeks after the procedure

As a varicose vein treatment, the endovenous laser therapy procedure is about 98% effective in closing the vein. When a leg vein is completely removed, it is impossible for it to return, while with traditional vein stripping, there is a greater chance of new veins growing. Even though the original vein is gone, new ones may recur which will require future treatment. With laser therapy, new veins are unlikely to grow. This greatly decreases the likelihood that you will require additional treatment of varicose vein in the future.

IS THERE ANY RISK OF VARICOSE VEINS LASER TREATMENT?

All medical procedures carry some risk. Laser ablation and miniphlebectomy are effective methods of varicose veins removal and are considered to be "low-risk" surgery. The procedure is less invasive than traditional varicose vein surgery.

There can occasionally be side effects - temporary bruising, swelling and discomfort are relatively common.

CAN EVERY PATIENT BE OPERATED ON?

Not every patient can have the operation, so before or just after your arrival we need to arrange for you to have a pre-consultation visit to our clinic in London or in Krakow. This will check whether you can undergo laser treatment. You can also visit your local GP and have done the following medical tests: