What is Laser & How Does Laser Work for Treating Varicose Veins?
A laser is nothing, but an extremely concentrated beam of light, which can be effectively used for treatment of varicose veins. The heat from the laser damages the varicose vein, which leads to formation of scar tissue. The scar tissue obstructs the vein and because the obstructed vein loses its source of blood, it eventually dies. After some period of time, the involved varicose vein tends to disappear.
What are the Types of Laser Treatment for Varicose Vein?
Simple Laser Treatment for Varicose Vein: Simple laser treatment for varicose vein is done on the external surface of the skin. Simple laser treatment helps in treating spider veins and very small varicose veins, which are present just beneath the surface of the skin. Patient needs more than one session for simple laser treatment for varicose vein. These laser sessions for treating varicose vein are arranged every 6 to 12 weeks or as recommended by the doctor.
Endovenous Laser Treatment for Varicose Vein: Endovenous laser treatment helps in treating the larger varicose veins present in the legs. In this laser therapy, a laser fiber is passed via catheter into the affected vein and laser passed through the fiber to deliver the right amount of energy to the targeted tissues as the laser fiber is pulled back. This leads to the veins reacting to the laser light by sealing shut. During this procedure, the doctor observes the vein on a duplex ultrasound screen. Laser therapy for treatment of varicose vein is less painful than ligation and stripping of the vein and laser treatment for varicose vein also has a shorter recovery period. Endovenous laser treatment needs only light sedative or local anesthesia for treating varicose veins.
What To Expect After Laser Treatment for Varicose Vein
The recovery period after laser treatment for varicose vein is usually short and the patient can commence daily activities quickly, especially after simple laser treatment. The patient is encouraged to walk immediately after laser treatment for varicose vein and can go about performing daily activities as usual.
After endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins the patient needs to wear compression stockings for about a week or more. Follow up is needed where the doctor will check to see if the affected varicose vein has closed using duplex ultrasound.
How Effective is Laser Treatment for Varicose Vein?
Simple laser treatment for varicose vein is effective for treating small spider veins and tiny varicose veins. For more than 20 years, simple laser treatment for varicose vein is deemed very effective and safe. For some patients, simple laser treatment is used as a secondary treatment step done after the treatment of larger varicose veins has been done with surgery or endovenous laser sclerotherapy or radiofrequency treatment.
If the varicose veins need to be closed off, then endovenous laser treatment is very effective instead of surgery. Endovenous laser treatment for varicose vein closes the varicose veins 94% of the times and is a very effective treatment for varicose veins.
What Happens if Laser Treatment for Varicose Vein Fails?
In cases where the endovenous laser treatment has not closed a vein, then a second treatment is needed, which can include sclerotherapy or radiofrequency treatment or even vein surgery.
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