Previously, if conservative treatment of varicose veins did not bring the desired results, or complications caused danger to the patient's health, doctors indicated surgery. In this case, the affected vein was completely removed and after the surgery, the scar remained on the skin. In some cases, modern medicine allows replacing an outdated operation with a more advanced laser therapy.
The essence of the action is to shine a laser of a certain wavelength into the varicose vein. The blood cells convert the incoming impulse into heat energy, resulting in the affected vein being sealed off and blood starting to flow through healthier pathways.
At the same time, all adjacent tissues remain unharmed, as the laser beam acts selectively and the area of the body on which the operation is performed does not cause discomfort due to defective veins.
Laser varicose vein surgery methods are divided into two types, which are used in different cases. Percutaneous laser correction is used in most cases to treat mesh veins, which can be called the early stages of the development of varicose veins. The procedure is performed without direct skin contact, and the results are no different from other types of procedures, but in this case the vein diameter should not exceed 3 mm.
Endovasal laser coagulation (EVLK) is used more frequently, in Europe it has become a preferred treatment, and varicose vein surgery is gradually gaining in popularity. EVLK involves a microscopic skin incision through which a light path is inserted into the damaged vein. This feature allows you to freely "stick" any varicose veins no more than 1 cm in diameter. The entire process is under the control of ultrasound diagnostics, so the risk of medical error is minimal.
Negative reviews about laser vein coagulation are often left by people who trust inexperienced doctors or ignore specialist advice.
Indications and contraindications
Any procedure has indications and contraindications, the attending physician should tell. In the case of coagulation laser treatment of varicose veins of the legs, the specialist must thoroughly examine the prerequisites for implementation.
First, the vein must be enlarged at the mouth by no more than 10 mm, otherwise the therapy will be useless and the problem will soon return.
Second, the vein must have a smooth path of the stem so that the guiding light can freely pass through it from end to end.
Third, there should not be too many varicose veins.
Before starting laser treatment, it is necessary to take into account the existing contraindications to the procedure:
- predisposition to thrombophlebitis;
- any chronic diseases in the acute phase;
- pathology of blood circulation;
- varicose veins more than 1 cm;
- inflammatory processes in the affected area;
- infectious diseases accompanied by elevated body temperature;
- patient's low mobility for health reasons.
If you ignore the existing contraindications, there can be negative consequences that are much more difficult to eliminate. For the procedure to be successful, you only need to contact a specialized medical facility, which has experienced and responsible specialists.
How the procedure
Upon initial consultation with the doctor, the patient will answer all the necessary questions and undergo an examination for the specialist to decide if laser varicose vein treatment will help in this case. whether or not it is necessary. Then the tests are prescribed, and if no contraindications are found, the date of the session is announced.
There is no specific preparation for laser coagulation, but patients must follow a number of specialist recommendations:
- Loose, comfortable clothing and shoes should be worn, especially in the last days before the indicated date;
- a few days before the procedure, you need to stop taking drugs that affect blood viscosity.
In the early stages, the phlebologist together with a diagnostic sonographer will mark and locate the entire varicose vein on the affected area of the patient's body. This step can vary in length: if the vein is straight and short, the process should only take a few minutes, and if it is often twisted and involves a long passage, marking may take longer.
The second stage is the use of a local anesthetic, most commonly Novocain, if the patient is not allergic to it. The doctor, under the control of an ultrasound machine, carefully cuts out the affected vein without injuring it. This stage is very important, as it not only anesthetizes the surgical procedure, but also prevents the laser from affecting nearby tissues.
Laser varicose vein removal begins with the selection of the radiation regimen that is right for the patient by the veniologist. Then, a small incision is made, through which a light path is delivered to a vein if intravascular coagulation is performed, or a superficial laser if percutaneous is chosen. With the help of the ultrasound machine, the phlebologist controls the process and moves the laser source along the entire length of the varicose vein.
After laser treatment of the veins of the lower extremities, you will need to wear compression underwear for two weeks, and in the first days after the procedure, not only during the day but also at night. Also, immediately after exposure and then for two weeks, you will need to walk for at least 30 minutes.
Consequences of therapy
In most cases, varicose veins in the legs and other parts of the body can be treated with laser coagulation without side effects and recurrence. At first, the patient may feel discomfort, pain or other discomfort in the affected area, bruising may also appear, but this gradually disappears. If not, you will need a doctor's help.
If the treatment of varicose veins of the legs and other parts of the body is interrupted by the laser, or the patient ignores the advice of a specialist, more serious complications may occur. The most innocuous of these is the entry of the infection through an open wound, which is treated with antibiotics. A more serious complication is the appearance of superficial or deep vein thrombosis, which is treated only with surgery.