Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities

A disease in which 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 of eliminating the disease.

Transcription of the procedure

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

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 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 disintegrate 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 important 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. Thanks to this, the rehabilitation period is significantly shorter.
3. No need for postoperative drug therapy.
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 sutures, piercings or other cosmetic defects on the patient's skin surface after surgery.
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 laser varicose vein removal.

Indications for laser surgery

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

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

For whom this method is forbidden

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.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the laser touches a small area of ​​the vein, which makes it possible to avoid damage to the surrounding tissue. If a person has a large venous 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 approximately 2 groups:

• Absolut.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 you to postpone laser surgery for some time:
  • the presence of scars or ulcers on the patient's skin surface. They must first be healed. Otherwise, the possibility of complications in the postoperative period is not excluded;
  • pregnancy and lactation. At this time, the female body weakens, 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 another 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 surgery consists of performing 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 coagulation is determined, blood biochemistry is performed, Rh factor and blood group are determined;
• HIV testing and the 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 upset, sedatives are given.

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

Which method to choose

In addition to endovascular laser coagulation, several effective methods can be used to treat varicose veins. Among the best known are these:

1. Compression therapy.The essence of the method is the use of external compression of the veins, which leads to a reduction in their size. After surgery, it is possible for the vein to increase in length. In most patients, there is a need for compression therapy throughout the rest of their lives. Laser surgery on the veins in the legs eliminates this need.
2. Phlebotomy.In this case, the vein is surgically detached from the general 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 up to 3-4 weeks.

3. Scleotherapy.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 developing such postoperative consequences as tissue scarring, skin surface necrosis, allergies, migraines and others is not excluded.
4. Radiofrequency ablation.Performed through the use of radio waves. The catheter is inserted into a vein. Radio waves cause heat to accumulate and stick to the walls of the veins. 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 the treatment of varicose veins can be made only after a thorough general examination and the recommendation of a specialist phlebologist.

Perform the operation

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

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

In order not to damage the eye mucosa, the patient must first wear protective goggles.

How long

One of the advantages of the laser method of coagulation of standing vessels is that the operation itself lasts no more than 30 minutes.

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

Healing after surgery

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

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

Within 2-3 months, the patient is completely healed and ready to go about his normal life.

Possible results and consequences

If laser vein surgery is performed at the right time, the chances of the disease coming back are 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 in 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. This depends on factors such as the rate of disease development, 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.