 |
Sixth in a series of articles by Mark Whiteley of The Whiteley Clinic, about Varicose Veins and the treatments available for them. Here he explains the new EVLT Laser method for treating varicose veins.
The old “tying and stripping” treatment for varicose veins led to a great many people growing their veins back again within a few years. In 1998 VNUS Closure® was invented which allowed varicose veins to be treated with heat. Not only did this cause much less scarring and pain, but we found that the chances of getting veins back again was significantly lower than was usual for the old “tying and stripping” technique. |
Seeing the success of VNUS Closure®, several laser companies decided to try the same approach. The first in the market was EVLT® - which stands for EndoVenous Laser Treatment. Introduced in 1999, the treatment technique for EVLT® is similar to that used for VNUS Closure®. An ultrasound is used to guide the insertion of a laser fibre into the vein to be treated. This is done through a very small incision, usually below the knee, and usually only 2-3 mm long.
When the ultrasound shows that the EVLT® laser fibre is in the correct place, the laser can be switched on. The laser light heats the blood almost instantaneously, forming steam bubbles. These bubbles transfer the heat to the vein wall, destroying it and causing the vein to close. |
 |
 |
As with VNUS Closure®, once the main vein is closed with EVLT® the surface veins can be treated by simple removal (phlebectomy) or injection (sclerotherapy).
EVLT® is easy to do under local anaesthesia in suitable patients. This has the advantages of allowing “walk-in, walk-out” surgery with the operation lasting less than an hour, and is much less expensive than the same operation being performed under General Anaesthetic. |
