Understanding Laser Treatment For Varicose Veins

The most popularly used treatment is laser treatment for varicose veins. A laser is a much focused ray of light which is used by doctors for the treatment of varicose veins. The heat emitted from laser damages a vein, which turns into a scar tissue. The vein is closed by the scar tissue. The closed vein dies and loses its source of blood. Probably after a year, the vein disappears.

In the recent past, laser treatment was limited to tiny varicose veins beneath the skin's surface. The treatment involves more than one session of laser treatment. These are scheduled in every 6 to 12 weeks, according to the doctor's prescription.

There is another new technology that has become available for large varicose veins called endovenous laser treatment. In this treatment, a laser fiber passes through a thin tube into the vein and the vein can be watched on a duplex ultrasound screen.

The best part about laser surgery is that it is less painful as compared to ligation and stripping method. It also involves a shorter duration for recovery. In laser treatment, the patient is given a light sedative and this surgery is used to close the varicose veins and not remove them completely. Endovenous laser surgery proves to be very effective. This has been proved by various studies.

The whole procedure of endovenous surgery takes around one hour. It does not lead to scarring and is not very expensive.

Just in case, your veins are not closed with endovenous laser surgery, you would probably need a second treatment. Remember to choose a doctor who has a lot of experience in this type of surgery. After you undergo laser surgery, you can return to your daily routine and day to day activities. You are also supposed to wear compression stockings for a week or maybe more. You would observe a major reduction in the size of varicose veins within a few weeks.

The blood flow is re-routed to other healthy veins to compensate the loss of varicose veins. The doctor once more checks the vein, whether it is closed or not using a duplex ultrasound.

There is also a simple laser treatment done for smaller varicose veins. This treatment is a second step, after a vein of large size is treated with either endovenous surgery, sclerotherapy or any other method.

Although, laser surgery is highly performed, yet it involves some risks. The laser treatment for varicose veins can cause skin burns, changes in skin color, burning sensation, pain etc. You can also have small or large clotting of blood in the vein which has less chances of occurrence in stripping surgery.