Intravenous ablation is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment. It uses radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize (burn) and close the abnormal veins that lead to varicose veins. What is EVLA? The EVLA is a new method for treating varicose veins without surgery. Instead of binding and removing the abnormal veins, they are heated with a laser.
Heat destroys the walls of the veins and the body naturally absorbs dead tissue and the abnormal veins are destroyed. It can be done in a simple treatment room rather than in an operating room. Varicose veins affect approximately 40% of the adult population. They are superficial vessels that are abnormally elongated, twisted, or dilated, and are most commonly seen in the legs and thighs.
Varicose veins bulge and rise above the surface of the skin. They can be uncomfortable and cause leg swelling. If left untreated, varicose veins can cause more serious medical problems, such as phlebitis (swelling and swelling of a vein) or leg ulcers. Dr.
Kokkosis, assistant professor of surgery (Division of Vascular Surgery) who practices at the Stony Brook Vein Center, answers questions about endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins. Kokkosis and his vascular colleagues also offer free screenings at the Vein Center to discuss these and other related questions; see contact information below. At the Stony Brook Vein Center, we use the latest technology to treat varicose veins through endovenous ablation, and we are also leaders in the use of minimally invasive treatments. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a specially developed solution (Sotradecol) into the varicose vein.
The solution then hardens, causing the vein to close or collapse. Microphlebectomies involve removing the vein through small punctures or incisions along the enlarged vein. Through these small holes, we use a surgical hook to remove the varicose vein, which results in minimal healing. Varicose veins that feed on the treated vein can also harden and form lumps as a blood clot forms inside them.
Endovenous laser ablation therapy (EVLT) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses catheters, lasers, and ultrasound to treat varicose veins. Some patients are bothered by the appearance of varicose veins, while others experience itching, pain, and tiredness in their legs. Foam sclerotherapy is the most common means of treating residual varicose veins after EVLA and is very effective for them. Varicose veins can almost always be identified by their blue or purple color and their twisted, bulging, or cord-like appearance.
Endovenous laser ablation therapy (EVLT) is a procedure that closes varicose veins, restores proper circulation, and causes twisted and bulging veins to disappear over the course of a few weeks. With current endovenous ablation, there is no need for incisions in the skin to obtain excellent results in resolving varicose veins. If you have extensive varicose veins in both legs, it's highly unlikely that you'll be able to undergo all the additional treatment at the time of the EVLA. The EVLT procedure begins when an interventional radiologist inserts a catheter into the varicose vein.
