Answers

Replied on 9/12/2010

By: Vanish Vein and Laser Center  |  Dr. John Landi, FACS, RPVI, RPhS
Medical Director, Diplomate Am. Board of Phlebology
Naples, FL

VNUS is the name of the company that makes the radiofrequency catheter and EVLT is a laser fiber. Both procedures treat the refluxing veins by closing them-one with radiofrequency energy and one with laser energy.

Replied on 10/12/2009

By: Vein Specialists Institute  |  Kenneth H. Jesser, M.D.
Palm Desert, CA

Both technologies treat a leading cause of varicose veins (greater saphenous vein reflux) - VNUS closes the target vein with a radiofrequency catheter, EVLT closes the target vein with a laser - tipped fiber. Both are effective treatments.

Replied on 10/9/2009

By: VeinSolutions - Austin  |  Emery W. Dilling, M.D.
Jeffrey M. Apple, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Austin, TX

EVLT and VNUS are similar procedures but use two different energy sources. The treatments both involve energy sources used to heat the vein and seal it due to collapse caused by the heat. EVLT uses laser energy while VNUS uses radiofrequency energy. Both systems are very effective and quick, there are slight advantages and disadvantages for each. Usually the treatment will come down to physician preference based on experience and ease of use of the treating system.

Replied on 10/9/2009

By: Miller Vein  |  Jeffrey H. Miller, M.D.
Novi, MI

The outcomes of both procedures are the same. Older generation lasers caused more pain and bruising.

Replied on 10/9/2009

By: The Vein Treatment Center of NJ  |  Dean H. Wasserman, MD, FACS, RVT, FACPh
Paramus, NJ

Yes, the methods of endovenous ablation are essentially
interchangeable, although some Phlebologists favor a personal preference
towards either one.
Frequently, the choice depends on which unit is available to the
physician.
The difference between VNUS and EVLT is the wavelength frequency of
the physical energy delivered and there are proponents for each.
Additionally, advances in catheter technology become available for
each of the procedures so that depending on the timing of such, one
system may offer a temporary advantage.

Replied on 10/8/2009

By: VeinSolutions - Minneapolis  |  Christopher F. Roland, M.D., F.A.C.S.
William R. Omlie, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Timothy Jon Gavin, M.D., F.A.C.S.
C. Phifer Nicholson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Howard L. Saylor III, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Edina, MN

VNUS Closure and EVLT are very similar procedures and accomplish the same
goal. The technology is slightly different. VNUS Closure uses
radiofrequency heat and EVLT uses laser. We have chosen to use VNUS
Closure in our clinic.

Replied on 10/8/2009

By: California Vein Specialists  |  J. Michael Leary M.D., FACEP
Newport Beach, CA

I use several different lasers and Radiofrequency devices in my
practice. The EVLT is an 810 laser. The VNUS is a radiofrequency
device. The procedure is basically the same but the EVLT delivers laser
energy and the VNUS delivers radiofrequency energy to close the vein. I
find that the success rate is about the same but patients may experience
more pain after the procedure when the EVLT laser is used. The new VNUS
clousure fast is very gentle, about the same as the new 1470 laser or
ELVeS device. The main disadvantage of the VNUS device is it is much
more expensive to use.

More Questions on VNUS

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If a patient has PAD, is that different from venous reflux?

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Next Step When VNUS Has Failed? (5 answers)
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PAD vs. ARTERIAL (4 answers)
What is the difference between PAD & Arterial disease? If you have arterial disease & PAD should you wear compression stockings?

What does VNUS stand for? (4 answers)
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How long does it take to for the pain/heaviness to go away after vnus closure? (4 answers)
I had the procedure done a little over three weeks ago and am still having pain/heaviness. It was started at the ankle and up to my groin. Does that mean the vein has not fully closed?

How does VNUS compare to EVLT? (4 answers)
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My surgeon said the numbness was normal. Will it go away? (4 answers)
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Is early VNUS treatment better? (4 answers)
Recently my greater saphenous veins have become noticeably enlarged at my ankles. Exercise now causes previously invisible calf veins to show. Does early treatment result in significantly better outcome? Can veins become enlarged but not varicose?

I continue to have pain after VNUS surgery. (4 answers)
I had VNUS surgery 3 years ago on my left leg. I have a dull ache in my leg that I never had before surgery. I especially notice it at night in bed. It often bothers me enough to wake me up. I never had the ache before surgery. What causes this?

Pain at night while sleeping after 10 days of having VNUS (4 answers)
I had vnus procedure 10 days ago; veins are gone and bruising is quickly going away. I've severe pain & burning sensation while sleeping; similar to the start of a Charlie horse and build up of lactic acid x10! Only in 1 leg; the worse of the 2.

Swelling above knee after VNUS and schlerotherapy. (4 answers)
I had the VNUS procedure done 3 years ago. I've had schlerotherapy each subsequent year. This year I noticed a swelling above the knee following treatment. This was 9 months ago and still hasn't gone away. What could this be?

One year after VNUS treatment, injections? (3 answers)
My earlier question was regarding the ankle numbness I am still experiencing when I touch it. I went to a new provider, and they want to do sclerotherapy on the cluster of spider veins on my ankle where it's numb. Will it get worse or better?

I have large amounts of pain in my leg that I didn't have before after havign VNUS done. (3 answers)
The pain is intense with numbness and tingling. Will this go away or is this nerve damage?

Who wouldn't be a good candidate for VNUS/ELVT procedures? (3 answers)
Who would not be a good candidate for VNUS/ELVT procedures?

What is the difference between VNUS and EVLT? (3 answers)
Both procedures sound like they treat the greater saphenous vein. So what’s the difference between them?

Nausea after procedure normal after VNUS closure procedure? (3 answers)
I just had the VNUS closure procedure this AM. Is it normal to feel nauseated and just a little light headed since the procedure?

Will not having the procudeure repeated result in potential problems? (3 answers)
After three years an ultrasound revealed that the vein is leaking and will need to be redone. What exactly does leaking mean and what problems could arise if I elect not to have the procudure repeated?

Still numb to light touches after a year. (3 answers)
It has been a year since my VNUS closure and I'm still numb to light touches on my ankle. I feel like it has gotten better, but is it safe to say I'm stuck like this forever? or could something be pushing on the nerve stopping the healing?

Swollen ankles (3 answers)
I had venous and foam treatment to both of my legs one week ago. Recovery is good although my thigh is very bruised and tender. However, my ankles appear swollen. Is this normal?

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I have had no meds for 6 hours and woke up a bit stiff but no escurciating pain. I just want to know if I damaged it somehow by lifting? Thanks!

Extreme aching in my calf and achilles tendon since having sclerotherapy (2 answers)
I had VNUS done in April in my groin and in my calf. My leg healed I began to have aching and pain in the injection sights (groin and calf). I also have mysterious aching in my achilles tendon as well. I had an ulstrasound and my veins were fine.

VNUS in Calf & Thigh? (2 answers)
My doctor told me that I am one of the rare (5%) of patients needing VNUS treatment in the saphenous veins in both my thighs and calves, due to the insufficiencies shown in the duplex ultrasound. Can you tell me more? Is this more serious than usual?

Venous Insufficiency - Thighs & Calves (2 answers)
My doctor told me that I am one of the rare (5%) of patients needing VNUS treatment in the saphenous veins in both my thighs and calves, due to the insufficiencies shown in the duplex ultrasound. Can you tell me more? Is this more serious than usual?

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