EVLA - endovenous laser ablation procedure

EVLA Vein Treatment for Varicose Veins
Endovenous Laser Ablation or EVLA is a procedure that safely and effectively cures the disease of venous insufficiency. By treating the actual disease process the symptoms of venous disease, including the unsightly large varicose veins, disappear.

The EVLA is an amazing and effective treatment for varicose veins. Unlike painful Varicose Vein Surgery of the past, EVLA vein treatment shuts down veins from the inside by use of laser and ultrasound technology - all with minimal discomfort. Our initial assessment will include an Ultrasonic Evaluation of your veins. In "real time" our experts will make an accurate diagnosis, an appropriate and effective customized treatment plan can be developed for you.

EVLA involves actually entering the vein and treating the diseased vein from within. Hence the term "endovenous". The idea of treating the diseased vein from within is ancient and there are accounts of this technique which date back to the time of Hippocrates in the 4th century BC. However it was not until recently that innovations in technology including real-time ultrasound guidance, tumescent anesthesia and portable lasers have allowed us to safely and effectively treat this disease in an office setting.

Using cutting edge ultrasound technology, the diseased vein is identified and entered using real-time ultrasound guidance. In this fashion, we are able to enter the diseased vein with minimal trauma and risk to our patients. At this point a small catheter (or I.V. if you prefer) is inserted into the vein. This catheter is then advanced within the vein to treat the entire length of diseased vein. At this point, we are able to advance the laser fiber inside the catheter. The final position of the laser fiber is determined using the ultrasound once again.

At this point, local anesthesia (also called "tumescent anesthesia") is injected around the vein using the ultrasound to guide us. This solution of local anesthesia serves two purposes. First, the vein itself as well as the surrounding tissues are anesthetized and become "numb". Secondly, the fluid around the vein helps to protect the surrounding tissues from any collateral injury from the heat of the laser. This surrounding fluid acts as a "heat sink" to protect these tissues.

Once the anesthesia has been injected around the vein the laser is activated and the vein which is the source of the patient's symptoms is completely ablated. The particular laser which we use accomplishes this with much less heat than other lasers and radiofrequency devices. The laser we use, an Nd:YAG 1319nm (nanometer) laser, directly affects the collagen within the vein wall causing actual shrinkage of the vein which is visible at the one week follow-up visit. Long term follow-up of patients treated in this fashion indicate that less than 5% of patients have a recurrence of their disease.

At this point, a small butterfly bandage is applied to the I.V. site and the patient is able to walk out of our office and resume most activities with essentially no discomfort. (Above is a picture of the Vein Viewer and small puncture site )

The Vein Care Institute is a leader in EVLA surgery for varicose vein treatment in Colorado.
We invite you to contact the Vein Care Institute to see how we can help you.

> Learn more about EVLA - Laser ablation

> Learn more about Varicose Veins

> Learn more about our Ultrasound Evaluation

> Learn more about the EVLT Laser Vein Removal Treatment