Varicose Vein Treatment

ELT stands for Endovenous Laser Treatment. This is an exciting new varicose vein treatment that is replacing traditional great and small saphenous leg vein removal in practices across the nation. The ELT varicose vein treatment involves threading a laser fiber into the diseased vein and activating it along the length of the vein. This effectively "ablates" the vein, preventing blood flow and the increased pressure associated with varicosities. Local anesthetic is used, and all ELT procedures are done in our office.

Is it painful?

The laser varicose vein treatment is carried out under local anesthesia. You will feel the prick of the needle used to inject the anesthetic, but you will be completely numb for the remaining part of the procedure. Since the entire area around the vein is numb, you will feel nothing as the laser is used in the procedure. After the procedure, the anesthetic lasts a few hours. We then recommend that you take the prescription-strength ibuprofen we provide at regular intervals for at least 3-4 days. This decreases inflammation and pain. After this, you may take over the counter pain relievers. Most people find the pain-relief we recommend to be more than sufficient.
How effective is ELT?

As a Vericose Vein treatment, the ELT procedure is about 99% effective in ablating the vein. When a leg vein is completely removed from circulation, it is impossible for it to return. With traditional vein stripping, there is a greater chance of new veins growing. Even though the original vein is gone, new ones may recur which will require future treatment. With ELT, new veins are unlikely to grow. This greatly decreases the likelihood that you will require additional varicose vein treatment in the future.

In short, ELT is considered more effective at treating varicosities than traditional stripping.

Can all varicose veins be treated with ELT?

Unfortunately, not all varicose veins can be treated with an ELT. If the vein is greater than 2cm in diameter, then the laser will not be as effective. Also, if the vein is very tortuous or "winding", then it may be impossible to insert the laser fiber far enough into the vein to be helpful. If the vein is located very close to the surface, ELT is not appropriate. In these cases, an alternative treatment will be recommended by the surgeon.

Micro-Phlebectomy is a varicose vein treatment used to treat certain types of varicose veins. The word "phlebectomy" literally means removing the vein. When someone speaks of "leg vein removal", that's exactly what this procedure does. The day of the procedure, your leg will be marked where the veins bulge out. Then, a special local anesthetic is injected into the area surrounding your leg vein. The doctor will make tiny incisions of about 1-2mm - the size of a ball-point pen tip - and use a crochet-type hook to "grab" the vein and remove it. This interrupts the vein, causes any remaining portions of the vein to atrophy, and gets rid of those unsightly bulgy areas!

What if I need those veins?

You may wonder, "what if I need those veins later? Suppose I need bypass surgery?" If the veins were functioning normally, then yes, you might need them later! But since the veins are dilated and not working properly, they are doing more harm than good. Heart doctors don't use varicose veins for bypass surgery for that very reason! In fact, leg vein removal leaves the healthy veins in the leg for use in open heart surgery, if needed.

Does it hurt?

Most patients say that the procedure does not hurt at all. You will feel the pin prick of the needle as we inject the anesthetic, but then the area is instantly numb. You will not feel any of the micro-incisions. You will not feel pain from the leg vein removal. We will give you some prescription-strength ibuprofen to help you for the first day or two, but the vast majority of patients require only over the counter ibuprofen to keep them comfortable. Rarely will patients require a stronger pain-killer after the procedure, which is why these varicose vein treatments can be done in our office, rather than in the hospital.

Will there be scarring?

You'll be pleased to know that the incisions are so tiny, that scarring can't be seen. Most patients can barely see their incisions four to six weeks after the surgery. Compared to the "railroad tracks" associated with traditional leg vein removal, the scars from the varicose vein treatment are practically non-existent.

How much down time or recovery time is needed?

The recovery time for the Micro-Phlebectomy treatment is negligible. You will need to take it easy for the first 48 hours, but walking is encouraged to promote healing - you will walk out of the office! After the first two days, normal activities are resumed. Only strenuous exercise is discouraged for the first week to ten days, as are swimming and hot tubs. After that, it is business as usual!

a> is similar to ELT except the vein is closed by use of a radiofrequency generator that creates heat to literally close the vein. It can be used for closure of abnormal perforating veins.

Call to speak with us about our wonderful new alternatives for varicose vein removal.