Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities

A disease in which veins enlarge, 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 of eliminating the disease.

Procedure transcript

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

As a result, within 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 with a kind of thermal burn of the vein walls, 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 in 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 couple of hours in the clinic.
2. The procedure does not require the use of general anesthesia. It is enough to anesthetize only the place where the laser catheter is inserted into the vein. Thanks to this, the rehabilitation period is significantly shorter.
3. No need for drug therapy after surgery.
4. Specialists monitor the progress of the operation using ultrasound monitoring using color Doppler. This guarantees the accuracy of the process.
5. After surgery, there are no postoperative stitches, punctures or other cosmetic defects on the patient's skin surface.
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 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 enlargement of the great and small saphenous veins. In this case, the size of the expansion of the venous orifice 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 at 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 it is possible that the vein will enlarge again.

In addition, it should be noted that the laser affects a small area of ​​the vein, which makes it possible to avoid damage to the 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 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;
  • vein walls have severe lesions.

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

• Relative.This group includes contraindications that force to postpone the operation with a laser 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 complications in the postoperative period is not excluded;
  • pregnancy and lactation period. At this time, the female body is weakened, and there is also a heavy load on the lower limbs;
  • overweight.

If a 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 need to go through a long preparatory period.

Preparation before the operation consists in conducting a standard examination, which includes the following manipulations:

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

Upon completion of these manipulations, you can proceed to the operation itself.

Which method to choose

For the treatment of varicose veins, in addition to endovasal laser coagulation, several effective methods can be used. 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, it is possible that the vein will increase in length. In most patients, there is a need for compression therapy throughout 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 vein system. In this case, the diseased vein is completely removed, which minimizes the re-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 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 vessel to stick together. The possibility of the development of such postoperative consequences as tissue scarring, skin surface necrosis, allergies, migraines and others is not excluded.
4. Radiofrequency obliteration of veins.Conducted through the use of radio waves. The catheter is inserted into the vein. Radio waves cause heat to build up and stick together in the vein walls. This method is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.

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

Conducting the operation

Removal of varicose veins with a laser is a manipulation that takes no more than 30 minutes. It is carried out in several stages:

1. In accordance with the previously drawn up map of the patient's veins, 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 pulled back. In this case, energy is emitted, which leads to the sealing of the vein.

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

How long

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

After this time, the patient can leave the clinic on his 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 on the patient's legs.

Postoperative recovery

Laser therapy for varicose veins involves a short postoperative period. In order for it to pass correctly, experts recommend that the patient adhere to the following rules:

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

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

Results and possible consequences

If laser vein surgery is performed in a timely manner, the likelihood that the disease will return again 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 on the legs are very rare. As a rule, this can be a slight pigmentation of the skin in the places where the puncture was performed. It can be eliminated by taking medication.

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 drawback 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.