A disease in which the veins get bigger, dilate and lose their elasticity is known as varicose veins. The result of the disease is not only a noticeable cosmetic defect, but also the formation of ulcers, which is accompanied by severe pain. Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is one of the most modern and painless methods of eliminating the disease.
Transcript of the proceedings
Laser treatment of varicose veins is performed using a duplex ultrasound scanner. In this case, the absorption of laser energy by hemoglobin of erythrocytes occurs.
As a result, in a few seconds they are converted into thermal energy, the value of which reaches 100 degrees. Blood plasma and its elements boil. This process can be compared to a kind of thermal burn of the vein walls, which causes a blood clot to form.
After a short time, the veins dissolve and become almost invisible. If the disease is in an advanced form of development, it becomes necessary to repeat the operation. This can be done no earlier than 30-40 days.
The popularity of the method is due to its inherent advantages. Among the most important are the following:
- The operation is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient spends only a few hours in the clinic.
- The procedure does not require the use of general anesthesia. It is sufficient to anesthetize only the place where the laser catheter is inserted into the vein. Thanks to this, the rehabilitation period is significantly shorter.
- No need for drug treatment after surgery.
- Specialists monitor the progress of the operation using ultrasound monitoring using color doppler. This ensures the accuracy of the process.
- After surgery, there are no postoperative stitches, punctures, or other cosmetic defects on the surface of the patient's skin.
- The postoperative period does not require bed rest.
- The operation is performed using a single instrument intended for endovascular intervention. Thanks to this, the risk of infection in the body is minimized.
The presence of these and other benefits confirms the effectiveness and efficiency of the procedure for removing varicose veins with a laser.
Indications for laser surgery
Laser treatment of varicose veins is indicated for patients diagnosed with enlarged large and small saphenous veins. In this case, the size of the expansion of the venous orifice does not exceed 1 cm, and the vessels are distributed evenly, without the formation of many bends.
The use of a laser will only be effective when the disease is at an early stage of development.
For whom this method is prohibited
Laser removal of leg veins is not recommended if the disease is in the second, third or fourth stage of development. The reason is that there is a possibility that the vein will enlarge again.
In addition, it should be noted that the laser affects a small area of the vein, which helps prevent damage to surrounding tissue. If a person has a large venous lesion, the use of laser therapy will not give the desired result.
If we are talking about contraindications to the use of a laser, they can be roughly divided into 2 groups:
- Absolute.This includes cases in which the use of laser is strictly prohibited:
- the patient has the possibility of developing thrombophlebitis;
- chronic blood diseases are observed; The venous walls
- show severe lesions.
In these cases, the use of a laser can cause massive blood clots.
- Relative.This group includes contraindications that make it necessary to postpone the operation with a laser for a while:
- presence of sores or ulcers on the surface of the patient's skin. They must first be healed. Otherwise, the possibility of complications in the postoperative period is not excluded;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding period. At this point, the female body is weakened, and there is also a heavy load on the lower extremities;
- overweight.
If a patient has contraindications from the first group, experts recommend that he use a different method of treating varicose veins. If there are relative contraindications, it is necessary to get rid of them before using laser therapy.
Preparation
One of the advantages of laser vein treatment is that the patient does not need to go through a long period of preparation.
Preparation for surgery consists of performing a standard exam, which includes the following manipulations:
- analysis of blood and urine, in which the presence of sugar level is determined, the degree of blood coagulability is determined, the biochemistry of the blood is carried out, the Rh factor and blood group aredetermined;
- HIV testing and the presence of sexually transmitted diseases; fluorography
- ;
- with the help of ultrasound, specialists accurately determine the location of the expansion on the veins of the legs;
- if the patient is very agitated, sedatives are given.
Once these operations are complete, you can proceed with the operation itself.
Which method to choose
For the treatment of varicose veins, in addition to endovasal laser coagulation, several effective methods can be used. The most popular are:
- Compression therapy.The essence of the method is to use external compression of the veins, which leads to a decrease in their size. After the operation, the vein may increase in length. In most patients, compression therapy is needed throughout their life. Laser surgery on the veins of the legs eliminates this need.
- Phlebectomy.In this case, the vein is surgically disconnected from the general venous system. In this case, the diseased vein is completely removed, which minimizes the re-development of the disease. The disadvantage of this method is the mandatory use of general anesthesia, which leads to an increase in the rehabilitation period up to 3-4 weeks.
- Sclerotherapy.It is an invasive treatment that uses a special foam. The patient receives an injection of a sclerosant, which causes the vessel to adhere. The possibility of the development of postoperative consequences such as tissue scarring, necrosis of the skin surface, allergies, migraines and others is not excluded.
- Obliteration of veins by radiofrequency.Achieved by the use of radio waves. The catheter is inserted into the vein. Radio waves cause heat to build up and stick to the venous walls. This method is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.
Of all the above methods, EVLO of varicose veins is the mildest and most effective. The final decision on the choice of a method of treating varicose veins can be made only after a thorough general examination and the recommendation of a specialized phlebologist.
Conduct the operation
Laser removal of varicose veins is a manipulation that takes no more than 30 minutes. It is carried out in several stages:
- In accordance with the previously established map of the patient's veins, the specialist performs local anesthesia where the punctures will be performed;
- a catheter equipped with a laser is inserted into the vascular cavity;
- The catheter is gradually advanced to the groin area and then withdrawn. In this case, energy is emitted, which leads to the sealing of the vein.
In order not to damage the mucous membrane of the eye, the patient should first wear protective glasses.
How long
One of the advantages of the method of laser coagulation of blood vessels on the legs is that the operation itself does not take more than 30 minutes.
After this period, the patient can leave the clinic alone. The short duration of the method is due to the absence of general anesthesia, as well as surgical incisions on the surface of the skin on the patient's legs.
Postoperative recovery
Laser therapy for varicose veins involves a short postoperative period. In order for this to pass correctly, experts recommend that the patient adhere to the following rules:
- wear compression garments;
- avoid a heavy load on the legs;
- walk in nature as much as possible;
- to perform an ultrasound 10 to 14 days after the operation. This will give the specialist a picture of the condition of the human veins at the sites of the procedure.
Within 2-3 months the patient is fully recovered and ready to go about his or her usual life.
Results and possible consequences
If the laser vein surgery is performed in a timely manner, the likelihood of the disease coming back is very low. The patient returns to his normal and familiar way of life after a few months.
Negative consequences after surgery to remove varicose veins on the legs are very rare. Usually, this can be a slight pigmentation of the skin in the places where the puncture was made. It can be eliminated by taking medication.
Average cost of laser treatment
It is safe to say that the cost of laser treatment for varicose veins in the legs is the only downside to the method. It depends on factors such as the degree of development of the disease, the equipment used for the operation, the individual characteristics of the patient and other factors.
Despite its high cost, this method is recognized worldwide as the most effective.