Varicose Veins: Why Doctors Recommend Laser Treatment Over Surgery

Blog Post
By BASS Vein Center
Varicose Veins: Why Doctors Recommend Laser Treatment Over Surgery
October 19, 2023

Varicose veins have long been a problem for women, including both women who stand on their feet all day and women who sit on the couch watching their favorite soaps and shows. Studies have shown that there is a 55% occurrence rate for varicose veins in the female population. These studies have also prompted the scientific, pharmaceutical, and medical industries to address the issue. The experts at BASS Vein Center offer the following advice to aid you in your varicose vein treatment decision.

Varicose Vein Stripping Surgery

The traditional surgery for varicose vein treatment is vein stripping. This surgery is performed by making a small incision at the top of the vein and another at the lower end, near the ankle. A wire is fed into the varicose vein and then pulled out through the bottom incision. This is a fairly complicated surgery with some risks. The increased risks are:

  • Allergic reaction to anesthesia: general or spinal block is used
  • Infection at the incision sites: top cuts are in the groin, which is susceptible to infection
  • Heavy bleeding: more likely because of larger incisions
  • Blood clots: DVT clots are likely due to post-op inactivity and foreign matter introduction
  • Bruising or scarring: larger incisions cause greater skin damage
  • Nerve injury: deeper incisions can cause nerve damage

There are also contraindications for a large group of people. People in these groups should not consider this surgical treatment. Before advances with laser vein treatment, these people were unable to get relief from the pain and malformation of their varicose veins. People with the following conditions are not candidates for vein surgery:

  • poor leg circulation
  • skin infections
  • blood-clotting issues
  • overweight

As you can see, these are frequently the people who need help with their varicose veins. Unfortunately, it was out of the question for them to have this varicose vein treatment.

Laser Vein Treatment 

One of the most effective therapies for varicose veins has been laser vein treatment, also known as Endovenous Vein Ablation or EVLT. EVLT is used to treat varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and swollen legs. This varicose vein treatment has improved symptoms such as aching, burning, and night cramps. 

At BASS Vein Center, we perform pre-treatment venous mapping. The surgeon gets an ultrasonic view of the complete mapping of your veins. This reveals blockages or problems that are not obvious on the skin’s surface. During the treatment, the ultrasound is active to aid the surgeon. A small optic fiber tube is inserted into the vein that needs treatment. As the catheter is pulled back, the laser activates. The laser heat kills the varicose vein and the blood flow that was in that vein redirects to another vein naturally. Some of the advantages to laser vein treatment are:

  • Lower recurrence of varicose veins. That vein will not regrow, but others can develop blockages and need treatment.
  • No general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is usually enough and will also numb the length of the vein.
  • No recovery period. You can resume most normal activities immediately. You will need to wear compression socks or stockings for a week. 
  • Lower risk of complications. 
  • Less painful. The only pain reported is the anesthesia shots.
  • Minimal, if any, scarring. The only area that could scar is the small cut for the tube that the laser is run in and it is very small.

The surgeons at BASS Vein Center are proud to offer EVLT laser vein treatment for our varicose vein patients. Contact us today at 925-281-5912 or BASS Vein Center to discuss the treatment locations near you.

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