Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) is a minimally invasive, in-office alternative to traditional vein stripping to treat large, bulging varicose veins and their underlying cause, venous reflux.
Usually, the treatment takes less than a hour. Unlike vein stripping, EVLT only requires local anesthesia. Patients have minimal recovery times following treatment, and the risk of complications is minimal.
What’s involved in EVLT?
Your doctor will numb the vein areas to be treated so you will not feel any discomfort during the treatment. Your doctor then will insert a small catheter or fiber, guided by ultrasound, painlessly into the vein. EVLT uses thermal energy (heat from laser light) to close the problem vein. Blood will be rerouted to healthy veins, and your body will absorb the now-inactive vein so you no longer feel or see it.
What can I expect during recovery from EVLT?
Following treatment, a gauze pad and tape will be placed over the small incision site. You’ll need to wear a compression bandage for several days, followed by compression hose for several weeks. You can go back to normal activities the day after your treatment.
What are the results from EVLT?
Typically, the problem vein will disappear within a month after treatment. However, most people who’ve been treated with EVLT experience relief of their varicose vein symptoms much sooner. To see the types of results you can expect from EVLT, check out the Results page for photos taken before and after treatment.
Call (225) 442-9663 or request an appointment online now.