EVLT / Sclerotherapy / Phlebectomy
Endovenous Laser Ablation
SFVA uses the latest techniques in the treatment of venous insufficiency like Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT). This is an effective technology that has evolved from the often-characterized "antiquated methods" of surgical ligation and vein stripping. Vein stripping is a very painful and arduous experience for the patient. EVLT on the other hand is a minimally invasive procedure where light emission (heat) from a laser fiber beam is used to cauterize the inside of the varicose vein wall. This method closes the unhealthy, refluxing vein. EVLT is an alternative to both traditional surgery and other treatments, and it requires minimal access to the vein.
During this procedure, a local anesthetic is applied to the vein and the physician inserts a tiny catheter into the problematic vein using ultrasound to guide its entry. The energy from the laser then works to close the unhealthy refluxing vein and thus reduce the tension on the surface skin veins. With the problematic vein permanently closed, the body then reroutes the blood to healthier veins returning the blood back to the heart. EVLT is a reliable and simple way to treat varicose veins without surgery.
The advantages of this treatment include:
- Treatment typically takes less than one hour
- Provides immediate relief
- Avoidance of general anesthesia
- Minimized recovery period and immediate return to normal activities
- No scarring or stitches
- Lower rate of complication
- Higher success rate and durability of the procedure relative to surgery
Often patients will combine their endovenous laser treatment with sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy
Injection of chemical irritant into the vein causes acute inflammation of the smaller veins such as reticular veins or spider veins and helps the veins to close as they heal from chronic on-going inflammation. At SFVA, we use only the FDA-approved chemical sclerosing agent, called Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate, which has been safely in clinical use for over 60 years. One benefit of the injection sclerosis is that not only the injected vein but also multiple "feeder veins" can be closed with a single injection. A large area of spider veins may require multiple sessions of sclerosis, and sometimes re-treatments are required. In terms of obliterating small reticular veins or spider veins, injection sclerosis is currently the treatment of choice and is widely used.
Phlebectomy
Ambulatory Phlebectomy (also referred to as Microphlebectomy) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat varicose veins that are not caused by saphenous vein reflux. During this procedure, tiny incisions are made (less than 2 - 4mm or 1/16 to 1/8 inch) over the varicose vein and a special instrument is used to remove the vein through the opening in the skin. The procedure itself usually takes less than an hour.
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