I have a bulging vein around my knee, and I have a beauty on my calf, plus a another around my groin area, can they be removed with EVLA?
It would depend on ultrasound findings.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
When you have bulging veins that you can see on the surface, it is very important to know where they are coming from prior to deciding on the best treatment option. Spider veins and bulging veins that you can see are essentially like seeing the 'tip of an iceberg'.
The next step for you would be to have a vein study - often called a venous map - which is typically done using an ultrasound nowadays, though there are other more cumbersome and complicated techniques.
Once the source of what you see is determined, the treatment options become more obvious. EVLA is an excellent choice for appropriate veins but there are many other treatment options that are excellent as well.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It has to be evaluated first that these veins are originating from
the incompetant?veins inside. If so, you will need EVLA and the veins
will need a microphlebectomy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The only way to find out which treatment is proper for your condition is by being evaluated by a vein specialist in person and most importantly have and ultrasound and doppler study of you leg veins. ULtrasound must be done by an experienced sonographer or a vein specialist physician (phlebologist). IF it is found that your greater or lesser saphnous veins are the main affected veins, then yes EVLT or ELVeS laser ablation is a good option for the most proximal part of your varicose veins, while you will still need sclerotherapy treatment for lower branches and side branches of you varicose veins, which may take a couple of additional sessions.
Khalil Fattahi, MD
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes usually with microphlebectomies done at the same time as ablation.
Michael D. Ingegno
Published on Jul 11, 2012
EVLA is a laser procedure that seals a refluxing saphenous vein. If this is present after evaluation by your vascular surgeon and ultrasound, it may be the cause of the varicose veins.
As a surgeon, I typically remove the surface varicose veins at the same time as the EVLA to save the patient time and money.
Many practices "stage" these procedures or do the EVLA in the office setting and then take you to the surgery center for the phlebectomies (removal of the surface veins). This is unnecessary as the entire procedure can be done under local anesthetic in an office setting.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You would need to have a venous insufficiency ultrasound to determine this.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Most broken vessels can be treated with EVLA, however, the source of the bulges
is often a larger vein that cannot be seen on the outside. This vessel is
usually treated with laser and the bulges are then treated by injection or
removal.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A closure procedure does not remove varicose veins but rather treats the refluxing valves, which are the cause of the veins. The varicose veins need to be treated by a separate procedure, either microphlebectomy or ultrasonic-guided sclerotherapy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012