Laser treatment for varicose veins is a less invasive technique to seal off bulging, uncomfortable and damaged veins and it works better than the standard surgery that involves removing the damaged vessels. Simple laser treatments take care of superficial veins that cause spider veins or varicose veins. Endo Venous Laser Treatment (EVLT) is proven to have excellent success at treating deeper varicose veins, with high rates of long-term results. However, there is a general fear that the laser treatment fails to seal a vein completely, allowing the blood flow to gradually return, causing varicose veins to reappear. To reassure, it has been proven from studies that the chances of veins coming back from the vein that has been treated by laser are very low, between 2 to 5%. The doctors at the venous ulcer treatment in Chennai specialize in varicose vein laser treatment.
Benefits of laser treatment over other techniques for varicose veins
The non-surgical laser treatment technique is a part of the overall comprehensive management program for varicose veins. Laser surgery closes and shrinks the varicose vein and causes scar tissue within the vessel and thus seals off the vein. Once a varicose vein has been closed off from the blood supply, it is permanently treated, the valve cannot reopen and the vein will not become varicose again. Blood then flows through other neighboring veins instead. Laser therapy is a safe and time-proven method without much discomfort to improve the overall appearance of varicose veins and get relief from its symptoms. There are many benefits to use laser treatments for varicose veins that are large or small if done by a certified surgeon. A certified laser surgeon with experience can provide benefits of laser treatment over other techniques that include:
* 98% long term success rates
* Extremely efficacy
* No hospital stay
* Performed at the out-patient clinic
* No general anaesthesia
* No downtime or time away from work
Importance of venous health assessment
A venous health assessment can help detect diseased veins and select appropriate strategies to prevent veins from coming back in the future. Venous health assessment conducted for varicose veins and wound healing treatment in Chennai is comprehensive and consists of 3 main components:
* A detailed study of medical and family history is important to understand every individual’s risk profile for varicose veins.
* A physical examination of the legs is to check if varicose veins are sore, red, and swollen. Laser surgery is best suitable if the skin over the varicose veins is irritated.
* And a duplex ultrasound scan that takes at least 20 minutes per leg. Conducting a detailed scan is to ensure that all abnormal veins are detected and treated.
With the right vein being identified by duplex ultrasound scanning, only the right technique used in the right way can get the best results. This is the reason to make sure that the best assessment is conducted for the best treatments to be recommended based on the results.
Do veins grow back after stripping?
In most areas of surgical removal of a part of the body, it is completely gone and is not expected to grow back again. The reason is that most things that are removed surgically are organs. Veins, unlike organs, are part of the connective tissue of the body and can grow back again after any trauma. Veins are programmed to grow back again as part of the healing process. When varicose veins are removed by stripping technique, the body does not acknowledge that it needs to be removed permanently. The body only understands the process as a trauma that occurred, subsequently allowing it to grow back the veins naturally. When veins grow back again this way, they do not develop valves in them. That is how varicose veins removed by stripping may not give a permanent effect, as the removed veins can grow back again without any valves in them. High ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein have frequently led to new blood vessel growth in the groin area involving pelvic varicose veins.
Source: Phlebology 2015 Sep;30(8):569-72.
Chances of veins to come back after laser treatment
If varicose veins have a chance to return after undergoing laser treatment aimed to permanently fix the abnormal veins, there are direct causes that need to be considered. The causes of varicose veins coming back post-laser treatment can be divided into two broad groups as patient-related factors and doctor/treatment-related factors.
* Patient-related reasons – The risk factors of the patient that were present before the laser treatment will still be present after the procedure. If genetics, age, hormones, or lifestyle habits include being risk factors, there are chances likely to develop one or more new varicose veins at some point in the future. Recurrent varicose veins or abnormal veins to appear again after treatment means that veins that were previously working at the time of the treatment subsequently become varicose. New varicose veins form when more valves fail other parts of the venous system due to disease progression. Losing weight and being more active are ways to avoid getting more varicose veins.
* Treatment-related reasons – An incorrect diagnosis can lead to incorrect treatment. The reappearance of new veins or continued development of the treated vein can be the result. Inadequate treatment of an abnormal vein can lead to strain on surrounding veins, causing damage to these veins making them visible and symptomatic. When concerning veins, it is recommended to consult with the vein experts before a decision on the procedure is taken. Vein specialists who can diagnose and treat the many forms of venous disease are the best experts.
It is important to remember that varicose veins are not a short-term ailment like a virus or infection, and hence, to ensure that the condition remains stable and does not come back, there is a need for a comprehensive assessment and long-term management plan to be instituted. Vein specialists at the venous ulcer treatment in Chennai carefully weigh the benefits and risks of every individual condition before deciding on a treatment plan as the best treatment strategy.