Fernando E. Kafie, MD, FACS
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Fernando E. Kafie, MD, FACS |
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Endovenous Laser Treatment
LASER CLOSURE OF VARICOSE VEINS
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)
quick, minimally invasive laser procedure
98% success rate
relief from painful and unsightly leg veins
major advantage compared with the alternative ("stripping")
covered by most insurance companies
WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS?
In order for veins to return blood back to your heart efficiently, they have one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards due to gravity. If the valves do not close properly, the blood will pool in that area of the vein.
This abnormal collection of blood will push the vein walls outward, causing the vein to enlarge and bulge.
Tens of millions of people suffer from varicose veins. Heredity is the most common cause of the development of these veins. Women are also almost twice as likely to have varicose veins. However, men also are affected. Other contributors to varicose veins include pregnancy, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and birth control pills, obesity or sedentary lifestyles, aging, and professions that require prolonged standing or sitting.
Varicose veins are not only cosmetic concerns for patients, but they also sometimes can cause legs to ache or swell. Your legs may feel tired or heavy and even having a burning sensation as the day goes on. In more severe cases, varicose veins may cause the skin to change, resulting in eczema, ulceration or bleeding, and/or pigmentation changes.
WHAT IS EVLT?
EVLT is a new procedure that takes about 45 minutes. Southeast Vascular is performing this procedure at Sacred Heart Hospital. EVLT uses laser energy delivered in a thin fiber-optic probe to treat the underlying cause of the varicose veins. Performed under ultrasound guidance and local anesthesia allows a more gentle "minimally-invasive" approach to the treatment of varicose veins. There is minimal to no pain and virtually no scarring.
Initially the vascular surgeon will consult with the patient about the procedure. This consultation will include a physical examination of the leg and a Doppler ultrasound examination to map the vein to be treated. Once the patient is determined to be a candidate for the procedure, the vascular surgeon will make an appointment for the procedure itself.
During the procedure, the area of the leg affected is locally anesthetized and a thin laser fiber is inserted into the abnormal vein, delivering the laser energy in short pulses. This laser energy is closing off the vein to any future blood flow. Your body will naturally use other healthy veins to return blood to the heart. The fiber-optic probe is then withdrawn from the body.
You should experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Patients return to normal activity the next day.
Watch the procedure with streaming video:
The procedure VIDEO (high speed internet access)
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
After the fiber-optic probe is withdrawn, a compression stocking is worn for 7 days. You may and should walk immediately after the procedure. We encourage normal daily activity and only vigorous activity or visits to the gym should be avoided.
You may have some bruising and soreness for 7-10 days after the treatment. You will be allowed to take over-the-counter non-aspirin oral pain relieving medication as needed.
Early results have been extremely favorable with success rates as high as 98%, without the complications of surgery. EVLT will normally treat the cause of most varicose veins but additional or complimentary therapy may be necessary in some cases. Most spider veins will be treated at follow-up for a small additional fee.
DOES INSURANCE PAY FOR THIS PROCEDURE?
Our office will be able to assist you with insurance and payment questions. In general, insurance providers pay for symptomatic relief of varicose veins.
QUESTIONS:
For more information on EVLT please visit www.PensacolaVein.com
Call for appointment:
(850) 969-1491
TO FIND A VEIN SPECIALIST NEAR YOU, VISIT VEINSonline.COM
Images copyright and courtesy of Diomed
Sclerotherapy
watch video: video
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a treatment for varicose veins and spider veins. It is used for treatment of symptomatic (painful) varicose veins as well as for cosmetic purposes. The treatment involves a series of injections of medication into the veins. When injected into the vein, the medications irritate the lining of the vein, making it sticky, the vein is then compressed with large pads to make the vein walls stick together. The needle used for the injections is very small.What are the medications used for sclerotherapy?
We use hypertonic saline. This was chosen because it has fewer side effects than some of the other medications.Do you use a local anesthetic?
No local anesthetic is used because those injections tend to be more painful than the sclerotherapy injections. The needle used to inject the solution is very small.I am afraid of needles; can this be done under general anesthesia?
This procedure is not performed under anesthesia unless done in combination with a surgical procedure such as vein ligation and stripping.How long does the treatment take?
The treatment takes about one hour depending on how many veins are treated.What kind of dressing is used?
A thigh-high compression stocking is applied to each treated leg after the injections and is worn for 1-3 weeks, depending on the size of the vessels treated. This can not be removed during prescribed weeks, not even for a shower. Garbage bags or cast shower bags purchased from medical supply stores can be worn for showering or a sponge bath may be taken.Can I drive myself home?
You should be able to drive home after the treatment.Do I need to take days off from work?
You may want to take the day of treatment off to keep your legs elevated but should be able to return to work the next day. Exercise is limited due to the need to wear the compression stocking for so long. You would want to avoid perspiring in the stocking to avoid itching and odor.How much does it cost?
sclerotherapy is broken down in the following manner:
$150 per leg for the procedureDoes insurance pay for this?
Some insurance companies will pay for this treatment. We do not bill for this treatment since it is strictly a cosmetic procedure.What are the possible complications?
Possible complications include:
- Hyperpigmentation, or brown staining, down the treated vein or at the injection site. This is from the breakdown of blood in the tissue. This usually goes away in 3 to 6 months. This is the most common side effect. About 30% of patients will have some degree of hyperpigmentation.
- Residual clots in the veins are also common. These are not dangerous and will go away in 3 to 6 months as well. If the clots are large, they can be drained.
- Skin reaction to the medication can occur if the medicine gets into the tissue. This will result in a blister progressing to a scab and will go away in a few weeks. This is more common if very large veins are treated.
- Superficial thrombophlebitis, or an inflammation of the vein, making it red and tender. The treatment for this is bed rest and Advil.
- The treated vessel can re-open and re-cannalize.
- You most likely will develop new veins over time.
What will my legs look like after the stockings are removed?
You will most likely have some bruising, some redness, and maybe some hyperpigmentation. The cosmetic results are not immediate. It takes about 3 months for the bruising and pigmentation to go away. Remember, that the leg veins will look worse before they look better.
TO FIND A VEIN SPECIALIST NEAR YOU, VISIT VEINSonline.COM
