The very thought of undergoing the knife often sends chills down the spine for most people. Surgery is definitely scary but what is worse is the pain that remains for days after the surgical procedure has been successfully concluded. A majority of the patients are also fearful that although the surgery may cure their varicose veins, they may still continue to suffer from surgical discomfort.
In the 21st century, owing to the technological advancements of the medical field, painful surgeries are now a thing of the past! Laser treatment is a great alternative to the surgical cure for varicose veins. It is both non-invasive and painless. Before we share more details about the laser process, let us first understand what are varicose veins and why is it necessary for you to get them treated?
What are varicose veins?
As you know, the human body has multiple blood vessels. The arteries carry blood from the heart to all body parts, and the veins send the de-oxygenated blood from all body parts back to the heart. Varicose veins are caused when the valves of these veins dysfunction and fail to send the blood back to the heart. Though varicose veins can occur in any body part, they are most commonly found in the legs and feet.
Due to this condition, the blood pools in these varicose veins and the patients tend to have enlarged or swollen veins that are dark purple in colour and clearly visible right under the skin. Patients have a heavy feeling in the legs and may also have constant itching or a burning sensation accompanied by severe pain.
What are the treatment options for Varicose Veins?
Traditionally, varicose veins were treated by surgical procedures like sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, etc. Though these surgical methods were, and are successful even today, they lead to huge cuts on the skin, are very painful, and often force the patients to a few weeks of bed rest.
The new treatment options that employ the laser technique are minimally invasive, do not require bug cuts to be made and are almost painless! In most cases, the patients can go back to their home on the same day. Named as “Endovenous Laser Treatment”, this treatment has a whopping success rate of 98%.
Before the Endovenous Laser Treatment, the doctor asks the patient to get done a Duplex Ultrasound Scan as that helps the doctor to clearly mark out all weak veins that must be treated. Using the scan, the doctor also finds the best place to insert the catheter.
The area to be treated is numbed by local anaesthesia and a small cut is made to insert the catheter with the guide-wire. A laser fibre is then passed through the catheter which seals all affected veins. This entire procedure takes at most an hour.
How is Endovenous Laser Treatment better than the surgical treatments?
- The cut made for the laser process is very minute and hardly visible as compared to the big cut required for surgical procedures like vein stripping. The big cut made for surgical treatment, also often leaves a mark on the patient’s skin.
- The laser treatment is minimally invasive and negligibly painful as opposed to the surgical processes like sclerotherapy.
- The patient can walk and go home on the same day as the laser treatment but may be unable to walk and remain under medical care for a few weeks after the surgical procedure for varicose veins.
- The endovenous laser treatment is safer than surgical operations as it requires only local anaesthesia in which only the area to be treated is numbed and the patient is awake during the whole process. For surgical treatment, general anaesthesia is given to the patient who then remains unconscious during the entire duration of the surgery.
Post Laser Treatment Care
After the laser treatment, the patient is advised to intake some medicines to reduce pain and prevent infections. The patient must not skip any medicines and complete the course as prescribed by the doctor. The treated area may be tied with a bandage that the patients can remove it on their own in a day or so.
A few patients may also be advised to wear the compression stockings for a short period of time. These stockings are for use during the day only and must be removed at the night. While lying down on the bed or while sleeping, the patient must keep two pillows under the operated leg and feet.
The patient can resume daily activities in 2-3 days of the treatment and get back to work in a week or so. The patients must avoid long flights for at least 6 weeks and also prevent sitting or standing for long durations at a stretch.
Can Avis Hospitals help you with Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins?
Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a trained vascular surgeon and has years of experience in treating varicose vein patients. For him, the patients’ satisfaction and comfort are of utmost importance. Dr. Rajah always ensures that the patients are well informed of the procedure and that they have to go through minimal pain during the laser treatment process.
Avis Hospitals has the most advanced medical equipment and a professional team of support staff that assists Dr. Rajah at each stage. Schedule your appointment for varicose veins check-up at Avis Hospitals today!
