EVLA-Varicose Veins

Endovenous laser ablation

 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2013) recommends Thermal Ablation as the first line treatment for Varicose veins. Thermal Ablation includes EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation). Both systems use heat to treat the source of the varicose veins. At Veins Northwest we offer EVLA(laser) as the main treatment for varicose veins and their complications. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic as a day case. It is a ‘ walk-in walk out’ procedure with no downtime afterwards and little or no time required off work. The veins to be treated are identified using an ultrasound scanner. Using local anaesthetic a laser fibre is introduced into the vein and passed along its length to just before the junction where the vein joins with the deep veins. Low-dose local anaesthetic (tumescence) is injected along the vein to anaesthetise the vessel that can be treated and also to act as a heat sump. The laser was activated and slowly withdrawn along the vein delivering heat energy and destroying the vein as it is withdrawn. Initially after the procedure bandages and or a stocking may be applied for a week. You will be mobile immediately after the procedure and encouraged to continue exercising. Laser ablation of veins would be considered gold standard and 1 of the most effective methods of treating varicose veins