Previously, doctors would prescribe surgery if conservative treatment for varicose veins did not bring the desired results, or if complications posed a serious risk to the patient's health. In this case, the affected vein is completely removed, leaving a scar on the skin after surgery. In some cases, modern medicine allows outdated surgeries to be replaced with more advanced laser treatments.
The essence of the effect is that a laser beam with a certain wavelength is directed to the dilated vein. The blood cells convert the incoming pulse into thermal energy, which seals the affected vein and blood begins to circulate through a deeper healthy pathway.
At the same time, all adjacent tissues are spared because the laser beam acts selectively and the area of the body where the operation is performed does not subsequently cause discomfort due to vein damage.
There are two types of laser surgery for varicose veins, which are used for different conditions. Percutaneous laser correction is used in most cases to treat the venous network, which can be referred to as the early stages of varicose vein development. The procedure is performed without direct skin contact and the results are no different from other types of procedures, but in this case the vein should not exceed 3 mm in diameter.
Endovascular laser coagulation (EVLK) is used more and has become the preferred treatment in Europe, with surgical treatment of varicose veins gradually taking a back seat. EVLK involves a microscopic skin incision through which a light guide is inserted into the damaged vein. This feature allows you to freely "glue" any dilated vein up to 1 cm in diameter. The entire process is under the control of the diagnostic ultrasound, so the risk of medical error is minimal.
Negative reviews about vein laser coagulation are often left by people who trust inexperienced doctors or ignore expert advice.
Indications and contraindications
There are indications and contraindications to any procedure, which the attending physician should advise. In the case of treating varicose veins in the legs with laser coagulation, the specialist must carefully examine the prerequisites for the procedure.
First, the vein must dilate no more than 10mm in the mouth, otherwise the treatment will not work and problems will quickly develop.
Second, the vein must have a smooth torso course so that the light guide can freely pass through it from end to end.
Third, varicose veins should not be too much.
Before starting laser treatment, it is necessary to take into account the existing contraindications to the procedure:
- Tendency to thrombophlebitis;
- any chronic disease in the acute phase;
- circulatory pathology;
- Dilated veins more than 1 cm;
- Inflammatory processes in the affected area;
- Infectious diseases with elevated body temperature;
- The patient has low mobility for health reasons.
If you ignore existing contraindications, there may be negative consequences that are more difficult to eliminate. In order for the procedure to be successful, all you have to do is contact a specialized medical facility that employs experienced and responsible specialists.
What is the procedure like
During the initial consultation with the doctor, the patient answers all the necessary questions and undergoes examinations so that the specialist can decide whether laser treatment of varicose veins will help the condition, and if it is necessary. After that, tests are prescribed, and if no contraindications are found, the date of the meeting is announced.
There is no specific preparation for laser coagulation, but patients must follow certain expert recommendations:
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing and shoes, especially in the last days before the agreed date;
- A few days before surgery, you will need to stop taking medicines that affect the viscosity of your blood.
In the first stage, the phlebologist, together with a diagnostic sonographer, marks and marks the location of the entire portion of the vein affected by the varicose veins in the affected area of the patient's body. The length of this step can vary: if the vein is straight and short, the process will only take a few minutes, if it is often twisted and involves a long section, marking may take longer.
The second stage is the use of local anesthesia, most commonly nocaine if the patient is not allergic to it. Under the control of an ultrasound machine, the doctor carefully cuts the affected vein without damaging it. This stage is important because it not only numbs the surgery but also prevents the laser beam from affecting nearby tissue.
Removal of varicose veins with a laser begins with the phlebologist choosing the radiation pattern that is right for the patient. After that, a small incision is made, through which a light guide is introduced into the vein if intravascular coagulation is performed, and a laser is applied to the surface if the percutaneous method is chosen. With the help of an ultrasound machine, the phlebologist controls the process and moves the laser beam source along the entire length of the dilated vein.
After lower extremity vein laser treatment, you will need to wear compression underwear for two weeks, and for the first few days after surgery, not only during the day, but also at night. Also, take a walk for at least 30 minutes immediately after exposure and for the next two weeks.
consequences of treatment
In most cases, varicose veins in the legs and other parts of the body can be treated with laser coagulation without side effects and recurrence. At first, patients may experience discomfort, pain, or other discomfort in the affected area, and bruising may occur, but gradually disappear. Otherwise, you will need help from your doctor.
More serious complications can occur if the laser treatment process for varicose veins in the legs and other parts of the body is interrupted, or if the patient ignores specialist advice. The least harmful of these is the infection that penetrates through an open wound, treated with antibiotics. A more serious complication is the development of superficial or deep vein thrombosis, which can only be treated with surgery.