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Endovenous Laser Ablation: Alternative to Vein Stripping

Blog Author March 16, 2016

• Endovenous Laser Ablation

For those suffering with large varicose veins, daily life can be uncomfortable and even excruciating. However, the traditional treatment, vein stripping surgery, was intimidating for many patients, making many hesitate to get varicose vein treatment. These days, individuals need not fear a visit to their local vein specialist, because of modern advances like Endovenous Laser Ablation.

Large Varicose Veins Can Ruin Your Health

Large varicose veins can cause significant damage to the body if allowed to progress without treatment. The diseased veins can case pain, swelling, permanent skin changes and skin sores that are slow to heal. This damage occurs because diseased veins make it difficult for blood to circulate effectively through the extremities, and, since blood brings needed oxygen and nutrients to the entire body, the lower legs can literally be starved. Without access to the proper nourishment, cells can die and minor cuts or injuries can become major health issues. In the past, the only answer was invasive vein stripping procedures. Vein stripping removes the non-functional veins–but requires a significant recovery period. Luckily, Endovenous Laser Ablation was developed to effectively get rid of larger varicose veins, much less invasively.

How Endovenous Laser Ablation Works

In ELA treatment, Florida vein doctors make a tiny incision is made to admit a thin, flexible catheter. The catheter is guided into the proper position to destroy the diseased vein using an ultrasound device. Once in place, a tiny laser probe travels down the catheter and the surgeon activates the laser. As the vein doctor withdraws the laser fiber slowly, heat energy collapses the varicose vein. This eliminates the vein as effectively as the former, more traumatic, vein stripping surgery with almost no downtime needed for recovery. After the outpatient, in-office, ELA treatment at the vein clinic, the patient is normally able to return to usual activity levels in just 24 hours. The ELA procedure takes under an hour and is done using only local anesthesia. This safe treatment ensures less risk of complications than the traditional vein stripping surgery. To learn more about Florida vein treatment options for varicose veins and venous insufficiency, make an appointment with the experts at the Kimmel Institute.