Dr. Jimenez is a member of The Society of Interventional Radiology and The American College of Phlebology. He is trained and skilled in all aspects of Phlebology including non-invasive vascular testing, ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, conventional sclerotherapy, as well as the new outpatient laser treatment for the elimination of varicose veins known as EVLT (Endovenous Laser Treatment.)
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT™)
EVLT is a new option that avoids major surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, and patients can be back at work or play by the next day.
EVLT uses laser energy through a thin fiber that is applied directly to the Greater Saphenous Vein (GSV), which is the major cause of most leg varicosities. The laser energy closes the GSV, so that blood cannot flow through it to pool in the legs, eliminating the bulging vein at its source (roll over photo at right for more details.)
After treatment, the blood is diverted to the many normal veins in the leg, thus loss of this vein is not a problem for the patient. It is a very safe, effective, and well tolerated outpatient procedure which most of the time is covered by insurance.
The procedure is performed under ultrasound, using local anesthesia. EVLT treats the underlying cause of varicose veins, and is often used in combination with one of the treatments below to treat the remaining surface varicose veins.
Sclerotherapy
This procedure involves the injection of a solution into the diseased varicose veins which causes the veins to shrink and gradually disappear.
For larger varicosities, ultrasound guided injections into the underlying diseased vessels below the surface of the skin may be performed. This allows the administration of the solution into precise locations and generally achieves excellent long-lasting results.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This procedure allows the removal of large surface varicosities through very small incisions. Abnormal veins are pulled up through tiny incisions and removed in sections. This typically leaves nearly imperceptible puncture mark scars.
The patient wears a compression bandage and compression stocking for a short period of time which minimizes swelling and discomfort and allows for proper healing. Ambulatory Phlebectomy is often combined with EVLT™ to achieve optimal results.