Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities.

A disease in which the veins become enlarged, dilated, 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.

Procedure transcript

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

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

After a short period of time, the veins dissolve and become almost invisible. If the disease is in an advanced form of development, it is necessary to repeat the operation. This cannot be done before 30 to 40 days.

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

1. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient spends only a couple of hours in the clinic.
2. The procedure does not require the use of general anesthesia. It is enough to only anesthetize the place where the laser catheter is inserted into the vein. Thanks 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 guarantees the precision of the process.
5. After surgery, there are no stitches, punctures or other cosmetic defects on the surface of the patient's skin.
6. The postoperative period does not require bed rest.
7. The operation is performed using a single instrument intended 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 to remove varicose veins with laser.

Indications for laser surgery

Laser treatment of varicose veins is indicated for those patients diagnosed with enlargement of the large and small saphenous veins. In this case, the size of the venous orifice expansion does not exceed 1 cm, and the vessels are located evenly, without the formation of numerous bends.

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

For whom this method is prohibited

Laser removal of leg veins is not recommended if the disease is in the second, third, or fourth stages of development. The reason is that the vein may become enlarged again.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the laser acts on a small area of ​​the vein, which makes it possible to avoid damaging the surrounding tissues. If a person has a large vein injury, the use of laser therapy will not give the desired result.

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

• Absolute.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 are seriously injured.

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

• Relative.This group includes contraindications that require postponing laser surgery for some time:
  • presence of wounds or ulcers on the surface of the patient's skin. They must first be cured. Otherwise, the possibility of postoperative complications is not excluded;
  • period of pregnancy and lactation. At this time, the female body is weakened, and there is also a great load on the lower extremities;
  • overweight.

If a patient has contraindications from the first group, experts recommend that he use a different method to treat 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 need to go through a long preparation period.

Preparation before the operation consists of taking a standard exam, which includes the following manipulations:

• blood and urine tests, in which the presence of the sugar level is determined, the degree of coagulability of the blood is determined, blood biochemistry is performed, the Rh factor and blood group are determined;
• HIV testing and presence of sexually transmitted diseases;
• fluorography;
• with the help of ultrasound, specialists accurately determine the location of the expansion in the veins of the legs;
• if the patient is very agitated, sedatives are given.

After these manipulations are complete, you can continue with the actual operation.

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 decrease in their size. After the operation, the vein may increase in length. In most patients, there is a need for compression therapy for the rest of their lives. Leg vein laser surgery eliminates this need.
2. Phlebectomy.In this case, the vein is surgically disconnected from the general venous system. In this case, the diseased vein is completely removed, which minimizes the new development of the disease. The disadvantage of this method is the mandatory use of general anesthesia, which leads to an increase in the rehabilitation period of up to 3-4 weeks.

3. Sclerotherapy.This is an invasive treatment that uses a special foam. The patient is injected with a sclerosant, which causes the vessels to stick together. The possibility of the development of postoperative consequences such as tissue scarring, necrosis of the skin surface, allergies, migraines and others is not excluded.
4. Radiofrequency vein obliteration.Made by using radio waves. The catheter is inserted into the vein. Radio waves cause heat to build up and stick to the walls of your 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 a method of treating varicose veins can be made only after a comprehensive general examination and the recommendation of a specialist phlebologist.

Performing the operation

The removal of varicose veins with laser is a manipulation that does not take more than 30 minutes. It is carried out in several stages:

1. According to the map of the patient's veins previously drawn up, the specialist performs local anesthesia where the punctures will be performed;
2. a catheter equipped with a laser is inserted into the vessel cavity;
3. The catheter is gradually advanced to the groin area and then removed. In this case, energy is emitted, which leads to sealing of the vein.

In order not to damage the mucous membrane of the eye, the patient should first wear protective glasses.

How long

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

After this time, the patient can leave the clinic on her own. The short duration of the method is due to the absence of general anesthesia, as well as the surgical incisions of the skin surface on the patient's legs.

Postoperative recovery

Laser therapy for varicose veins involves a short postoperative period. For it to happen correctly, experts recommend that the patient follow the following rules:

1. wear compression garments;
2. avoid heavy load on the legs;
3. walk in nature as much as possible;
4. perform ultrasound 10-14 days after operation. This will give the specialist a picture of the state of the human veins at the intervention sites.

In 2-3 months, the patient is fully recovered and ready to lead his usual life.

Results and possible consequences

If laser vein surgery is done in a timely manner, the chance of the disease coming back is very low. The patient returns to his normal and familiar way of life after a few months.

Negative consequences after surgery to remove varicose veins from the legs are very rare. As a general rule, this can be a slight pigmentation of the skin at the puncture sites. It can be eliminated by taking medications.

Average cost of laser treatment

It is safe to say that the cost of laser treatment of varicose veins in the legs is the only downside of the method. It depends on factors such as the degree of development 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.