Does endovenous laser ablation remove veins?

Are the problem veins removed after ELA or are they just left there? Is that bad for the body to have dead tissue laying around?

Answers from doctors (11)


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Oct 08, 2010

ELA heats the leaking saphenous or accessory veins causing them to shrink, clot and ultimately be reabsorbed by the body. If there are associated varicose veins, these may or may not resolve. and may need to be removed by microphlebectomies. There are no ill effects from leaving the lasered vein in the body to reabsorb.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

ELA heats the leaking saphenous or accessory veins causing them to shrink, clot and ultimately be reabsorbed by the body. If there are associated varicose veins, these may or may not resolve. and may need to be removed by microphlebectomies. There are no ill effects from leaving the lasered vein in the body to reabsorb.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Oct 29, 2009

The varicose veins coming of the leaky vein that we seal often collapse and
are barely noticeable as soon as one month post-op. The vein that is sealed
off gradually is reabsorbed by the body and poses no threat or harm to you
to leave this in place. Patients will often feel as though there is a band
or cord under the skin or fat, but this is more of a nuisance than something
to be concerned about.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

The varicose veins coming of the leaky vein that we seal often collapse and
are barely noticeable as soon as one month post-op. The vein that is sealed
off gradually is reabsorbed by the body and poses no threat or harm to you
to leave this in place. Patients will often feel as though there is a band
or cord under the skin or fat, but this is more of a nuisance than something
to be concerned about.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Oct 22, 2009

No , Endovenous Laser Ablation does not remove veins. The cells of the veins or tissue are replaced with healing tissue. Think about a scratch on your skin. A scab develops then as the healing process continues the scab cells are replaced with healthy new tissue over the following weeks. After a couple of months it is hard to even tell where the scratch was. Usually, after a year, there is no detecting where the scratch was. The same healing process goes on with your veins. So after a year it is usually impossible to tell where the treated veins were.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

No , Endovenous Laser Ablation does not remove veins. The cells of the veins or tissue are replaced with healing tissue. Think about a scratch on your skin. A scab develops then as the healing process continues the scab cells are replaced with healthy new tissue over the following weeks. After a couple of months it is hard to even tell where the scratch was. Usually, after a year, there is no detecting where the scratch was. The same healing process goes on with your veins. So after a year it is usually impossible to tell where the treated veins were.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Oct 22, 2009

The veins are not removed by EVLT. They just close. They become a sort of scar, but is not "dead" tissue. It is not harmful to the body.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

The veins are not removed by EVLT. They just close. They become a sort of scar, but is not "dead" tissue. It is not harmful to the body.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Oct 22, 2009

The EVLA treats the underlying cause of the varicose veins which is typically a "leaking" saphenous vein. This leaking vein connects to and causes the varicose veins. The varicose veins are usually treated my removing them (microphlebectomy) or injecting them. Sometimes, treating only the underlying cause and leaving the varicose veins will cause them to shrink, but that is not a problem.

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Answered by Miller Vein

The EVLA treats the underlying cause of the varicose veins which is typically a "leaking" saphenous vein. This leaking vein connects to and causes the varicose veins. The varicose veins are usually treated my removing them (microphlebectomy) or injecting them. Sometimes, treating only the underlying cause and leaving the varicose veins will cause them to shrink, but that is not a problem.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Innovative Vein

Published on Oct 21, 2009

The veins treated by laser are left in place. They harden, and then the body simply absorbs them just like any other dead tissue. It is not dangerous or unhealthy because our bodies are continually turning over tissue. Dead tissue is always being absorbed in our bodies.

Answered by Innovative Vein (View Profile)

The veins treated by laser are left in place. They harden, and then the body simply absorbs them just like any other dead tissue. It is not dangerous or unhealthy because our bodies are continually turning over tissue. Dead tissue is always being absorbed in our bodies.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Oct 21, 2009

Commonly an ambulatory microphlebectomy is performed after an ablation procedure to remove the varicose veins. However, this is not always necessary. The varicose veins get smaller over time after an ablation procedure. They aren't per se dying, just getting smaller.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

Commonly an ambulatory microphlebectomy is performed after an ablation procedure to remove the varicose veins. However, this is not always necessary. The varicose veins get smaller over time after an ablation procedure. They aren't per se dying, just getting smaller.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Oct 21, 2009

Endovenous thermal ablation with either laser or radio frequency heats the vein causing it to clot off and become scar tissue. There is no harm in "leaving" this tissue behind. This is the safest and best way to fix the problem.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Endovenous thermal ablation with either laser or radio frequency heats the vein causing it to clot off and become scar tissue. There is no harm in "leaving" this tissue behind. This is the safest and best way to fix the problem.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Oct 21, 2009

Endovenous laser seals veins, and there is no problem leaving the
sealed vein in place.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Endovenous laser seals veins, and there is no problem leaving the
sealed vein in place.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center Houston

Published on Oct 21, 2009

ELAS does not remove veins. Laser energy closes the vein and the vein
eventually shrinks and becomes a scar. The closed vein is like any other
injury to the body: a inflammatory reaction surrounds the vein and over time
it becomes a scar as stated above.


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Answered by Vein Center Houston

ELAS does not remove veins. Laser energy closes the vein and the vein
eventually shrinks and becomes a scar. The closed vein is like any other
injury to the body: a inflammatory reaction surrounds the vein and over time
it becomes a scar as stated above.


Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Kimmel Institute

Published on Oct 21, 2009

No, it is not a problem.
The vein is closed from the inside, and over time, shrinks to a tiny string
size. this does not cause any significant long term problems.

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Answered by The Kimmel Institute

No, it is not a problem.
The vein is closed from the inside, and over time, shrinks to a tiny string
size. this does not cause any significant long term problems.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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