Changing options for the treatment of unwanted veins. Days of
open surgery, prolonged bruising and painful recovery are long gone. ________________________________________________________
There is no denying that patients today are choosing
minimally invasive or non-invasive options where possible. In the past there has
been a degree of scepticism about benefits of such treatments. How can a beam
of light replace a surgeon’s knife? Is this too good to be true ? Not anymore-
Today non-invasive methods are replacing surgery at a very
fast rate. So much so that NICE -The National
Institute of Clinical Excellence has updated it’s guidelines on the
treatment of varicose veins. It has recommended Endovenous laser treatment as
the preferred option, foam injections second and surgery where the first two
options are not suitable or declined.
How is EVLT or
endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins performed?
Endovenous laser therapy involves the insertion of an
ultrasound-guided laser fibre directly into the faulty vein. Laser energy heats
the vein from within, causing it to shrink, collapse and seal shut. Patients
experience minimal discomfort, and they can return to normal activities the
same day.
Because there are many veins in the leg, the blood that would have flowed
through the closed vein simply flows through other healthy veins after the
laser therapy.
What
about thread and spider veins on the legs?
Thread and spider veins can be like tips of an iceberg.
There can be hidden Varicose Veins that need to be ruled out before undertaking
treatments for these veins. This usually means an ultrasound scan. It is
irresponsible to start firing a laser at thread veins without first undertaking
a thorough clinical and ideally an ultrasound evaluation. It is not a great idea to see a non-doctor
with a laser as this is a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. We have seen
patients with deep laser burns resulting from inappropriate treatments carried
out elsewhere.
Usually microscerotherapy or microinjections into thread
veins work well. For tiny veins we have a range of lasers that can be
used. It is important to choose a clinic
with a range of lasers as one laser is never suitable for everybody.
How do you treat
veins on the face?
Sclerotherapy is very valuable for treatment of leg veins
but laser and IPL treatment is safer and better for facial veins. Facial
redness and spider veins are a common cosmetic and medical complaint. These are
particularly common in rosacea suffers. Common associations are seen with sun
damage, a fair complexion, stress, spicy foods and fluctuations in temperature
which exacerbate rosacea symptoms. As with many conditions, genetics plays a
role too.
Numerous treatments are available but laser and light based treatments are
the gold-standard treatment options. We have a comprehensive range of lasers to
treat these very successfully. Usually a few sessions are required for best
results.
Numerous treatments are available but laser and light based treatments are the gold-standard treatment options. We have a comprehensive range of lasers to treat these very successfully. Usually a few sessions are required for best results.