Varicose Veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of skin. Varicose veins can occur anywhere in leg from groin to thighs. It may also occur on other parts of the body. People having varicose veins usually experience mild symptoms like mild welling, dry, itchy, skin, muscle cramps etc. Severe symptoms include skin ulcers, skin discoloration etc.

EVLT is a minimally invasive procedure to treat varicose veins. By minimally invasive procedure, I mean, it does not include my instruments that go into your body. By use of minimally invasive procedure, a patient requires only a band-aid on the incision, rather than multiple stitches. It results in less infection, shorter hospital stays and quick recovery time.

Now, When Should You Go For EVLT?
You require an EVLT when:

You have varicose veins
You wish to remove ugly and enlarged veins
You have circulatory problems because of Chronic Venous Insufficiency
You cannot go for surgery to treat your varicose veins because of other complications
Treatment Procedure Of Varicose Veins
Your physician will firstly confirm all your weak veins, using a Duplex Ultrasound Scan and will determine the best place to insert the catheter. You will be asked to wear protective glasses because laser is used in this procedure. Your physician will then clean, shave and numb this area with a local anesthetic.

Once the area has become numb, a small incision is made and a catheter and a guide-wire are inserted into your skin. Next, a laser fiber is passed through the catheter until it extends approximately 1 to 2 centimeters from the end, at which point it is secured in place. The laser energy seals the faulty vein and blood flow is re-directed to healthy veins. The entire process takes approximately takes an hour.

As already discussed this procedure is minimally invasive, hence you will not experience much pain. Your physician might carry out an Ultrasonography to ensure the success of the procedure. If the main vein is not completely closed, your doctor might suggest you to go for another EVLT or Sclerotherapy.

EVLT has minimal recovery time. That is the patients are encouraged to walk and resume their day-to-day activities on the same day.