Endovenous laser treatment was first used in 1979 and has become one of the most popular forms of treating varicose veins and thousands of people have been treated with endovenous lasers since then. The treatment is performed under general anesthesia and has shown great results.
Lasers are used to deliver the light energy to the vein walls using an optical fiber. The energy transmitted heats and destroys the wall of the vein. This type of procedure works better than removing the vein surgically, because it only leaves a tiny scar and can destroy the problem in situ. This is less traumatic to the patient and causes scar tissue to develop on the vein which will become fibrous and will eventually disappear. The treatment is also almost painless because it is performed under anesthesia.
Prior to the procedure, you will have a consultation where your doctor will perform clinical tests to determine whether the procedure is a good option for you. He will also do a cartography which will map out your venous network, give you information and answer any questions you may have. The day of the procedure will start out with another Duplex scan and the doctor’s staff will begin marking the route of the vein to be treated. If there is more than one vein that needs to be treated, the branches of the varicose veins will also be marked so that the procedures can all be done in one visit.
There are no special preparations before having an endovenous laser treatment and fasting is not required. It is also not necessary for you to stop taking any medications you may be on beforehand. As a general rule the treatment is painless, but if you feel any pain, you should let your doctor know immediately. You will also be required to wear special glasses to protect your eyes from any exposure to the laser. At the end of the treatment, you will be required to wear compression stockings or a bandage for a week afterwards. The total treatment only takes about an hour.
Side effects of having this type of procedure are very rare. However on occasion some people experience infection or discomfort. Some extreme side effects that have been reported are dysesthesia, skin burns, perforation of the vein, rupture of the laser fiber, hyper-pigmentation or telangiectasias. It is important to remember that these complications are very rare.