Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities

A disease in which the veins dilate, dilate and lose elasticity is known as varicose veins. The result of the disease is not only a noticeable cosmetic defect, but also the formation of ulcers, which is accompanied by severe pain. Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is one of the most modern and painless methods to eliminate the disease.

Transcript of the procedure

Laser treatment of varicose veins is performed using an ultrasound duplex scanner. In this case, the absorption of laser energy from the hemoglobin of the erythrocytes occurs.

As a result, in a few seconds they are converted into heat energy, the value of which reaches 100 degrees. Blood plasma and its elements boil. This process can be compared to a kind of thermal burning of the walls of the veins, which provokes the formation of a blood clot.

After a short period of time, the veins dissolve and they become almost invisible. If the disease is in an advanced form of development, it becomes necessary to repeat the operation. This can be done no earlier than 30 - 40 days.

The popularity of the method is due to its inherent advantages. Among the most significant are the following:

1. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient spends only a few hours in the clinic.
2. The procedure does not require the use of general anesthesia. It is sufficient to anesthetize only the place where the laser catheter is inserted into the vein. Due to this, the rehabilitation period is significantly shorter.
3. There is no need for drug therapy after surgery.
4. Specialists monitor the progress of the operation using ultrasound monitoring using color Doppler. This ensures the accuracy of the process.
5. There are no postoperative sutures, punctures or other cosmetic defects on the patient's skin after the operation.
6. The postoperative period does not require bed rest.
7. The operation is performed using an instrument designed for endovascular intervention. Thanks to this, the risk of infection in the body is minimized.

The presence of these and other advantages confirms the effectiveness and efficiency of the procedure for removing varicose veins with a laser.

Indications for laser surgery

Laser treatment of varicose veins is indicated for those patients who are diagnosed with dilatation of the great and small saphenous veins. In this case, the size of the dilation of the venous opening does not exceed 1 cm, and the vessels are evenly spaced without the formation of multiple bends.

The use of a laser will only be effective when the disease is at an early stage of development.

For whom this method is disabled

Laser removal of leg veins is not recommended if the disease is in the second, third or fourth stage of development. The reason is that it is possible for the vein to enlarge again.

In addition, it should be noted that the laser affects a small part of the vein, which makes it possible to avoid damage to surrounding tissues. If a person has a large vein lesion, the use of laser therapy will not give the desired result.

If we talk about contraindications to the use of laser, they can be divided into 2 groups:

• Absolutely.This includes those cases in which the use of the laser is strictly prohibited:
  • the patient has the possibility of developing thrombophlebitis;
  • chronic blood diseases are observed;
  • The walls of the veins have severe lesions.

In these cases, the use of a laser can provoke massive blood clots.

• Relative.This group includes contraindications that force the laser operation to be postponed for some time:
  • presence of wounds or ulcers on the surface of the patient's skin. They must be healed first. Otherwise, the possibility of complications in the postoperative period is not excluded;
  • period of pregnancy and lactation. At this time the female body is weakened, and there is a great strain on the lower limbs;
  • overweight.

If the patient has contraindications from the first group, experts recommend that he use a different method of treating varicose veins. If there are relative contraindications, it is necessary to get rid of them before using laser therapy.

Preparation

One of the advantages of laser vein treatment is that the patient does not have to go through a long period of preparation.

Preparation before surgery consists of performing a standard examination, which includes the following manipulations:

• analysis of blood and urine, which determines the presence of sugar levels, determines the degree of blood clotting, performs blood biochemistry, determines Rh factor and blood type
• HIV testing and the presence of sexually transmitted diseases;
• fluorography;
• with the help of ultrasound, specialists accurately determine the location of the dilation on the veins of the legs;
• If the patient is very agitated, sedatives are given.

After completing these manipulations, you can proceed to the operation itself.

Which method to choose

In addition to endovasal laser coagulation, several effective methods can be used to treat varicose veins. Among the most popular are the following:

1. Compression therapy.The essence of the method is to use external compression of the veins, which leads to a reduction in their size. After the operation, it is possible for the vein to increase in length. Most patients need compression therapy for the rest of their lives. Laser surgery on the veins of the legs eliminates this need.
2. Phlebectomy.In this case, the vein is surgically disconnected from the common venous system. In this case, the diseased vein is completely removed, which minimizes the recurrence of the disease. The disadvantage of this method is the mandatory use of general anesthesia, which leads to an increase in the rehabilitation period to 3-4 weeks.

3. Sclerotherapy.This is an invasive treatment that uses a special foam. The patient is injected with sclerosant, which causes the vessel to stick together. The possibility of developing such postoperative consequences as tissue scars, necrosis of the skin surface, allergies, migraines and others is not excluded.
4. Radiofrequency vein deletion.Conducted using radio waves. The catheter is inserted into a vein. Radio waves cause heat to build up and stick to the walls of the veins. This method is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.

Of all the above methods, EVLO for varicose veins is the most gentle and effective. The final decision on the choice of method of treatment of varicose veins can be made only after a thorough general examination and recommendation of a specialist phlebologist.

Perform the operation

Laser varicose vein removal is a procedure that takes no more than 30 minutes. It is performed in several stages:

1. In accordance with the pre-compiled map of the patient's veins, the specialist performs local anesthesia, where the punctures will be performed;
a catheter
2. equipped at the end with a laser is inserted into the vessel cavity;
3. The catheter is gradually moved to the groin area and then retracted. In this case, energy is radiated, which leads to thickening of the vein.

In order not to damage the mucous membrane of the eye, the patient must first wear goggles.

How long

One of the advantages of the laser vessel coagulation method is that the operation itself takes no more than 30 minutes.

The patient can then leave the clinic on their own. The short duration of the method is due to the absence of general anesthesia, as well as surgical incisions on the surface of the skin of the patient's feet.

Postoperative recovery

Laser treatment of varicose veins involves a short postoperative period. To pass correctly, experts recommend that the patient adhere to the following rules:

1. wear compression garments;
2. avoid heavy footwork;
3. walk in nature as much as possible;
4. do an ultrasound scan 10-14 days after surgery. This will give the specialist a picture of the condition of the human veins at the sites of the intervention.

Within 2-3 months, the patient fully recovers and is ready to lead a normal life.

Results and possible consequences

If the laser vein surgery is performed in time, the probability of the disease coming back is very low. The patient returns to his normal and normal lifestyle after a few months.

Adverse effects after surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs are very rare. As a rule, this may be a slight pigmentation of the skin at the site where the puncture was performed. It can be eliminated by taking medication.

Average price of laser treatment

It is safe to say that the cost of laser treatment of varicose veins of the legs is the only drawback of the method. This depends on factors such as the stage of the disease, the equipment used for the operation, the individual characteristics of the patient and other factors.

Despite the high cost, this method is recognized worldwide as the most effective.