Laser removal of varicose veins (EVLT)

Laser surgery of varicose veins using the EVLT method (EVLT - Endo Venous Laser Treatment) - endovenous laser therapy - replaces the classic surgical procedure (stripping). It was first used in the USA in 2002 after approval by the FDA. Due to the low invasiveness of the procedure, high effectiveness and great patient comfort during and after surgery, this method has become the most popular form of minimally invasive surgery for varicose veins. Any patient who has been diagnosed with insufficiency of the great saphenous vein and/or small saphenous vein can undergo laser removal of varicose veins. The procedure itself takes about an hour and is painless. Thanks to the appropriately selected laser power, it is possible to close the lumen of a large vein without making unnecessary incisions on the skin, which is impossible to achieve using traditional methods. The treatment in our varicose vein treatment center is performed using an endovascular laser from Fotona Spectro SP with a light wavelength of 1064nm. It is the deepest penetrating laser beam available on global markets, thanks to which it can destroy large diameter vessels deeply hidden under the skin. At the same time, thanks to homogeneous penetration, it has a very wide range of applications and minimizes the risk of tissue damage. Thanks to the highest power and advanced safety system, the Fotona Spectro SP laser is the fastest and safest laser on the market.

Advantages of this method:

• does not require hospitalization (the patient goes home on the day of the procedure, about 30 minutes after the procedure)
• the procedure is performed entirely on an outpatient basis
• does not require general anesthesia (which often leads to postoperative complications, including paralysis), local tumenescent anesthesia is used - with a high safety profile
• short operation time, usually 45-60 minutes (approx. 2 hours traditional method)
• no incisions or postoperative scars
• no hematomas forming after vein removal in the traditional method
• no complications related to disposable tips used during the procedure
• post-treatment symptoms are not major and do not interfere with normal life
• high effectiveness of the treatment, according to some scientific sources, up to 90%
• compared to the traditional method, it is associated with a lower risk of complications
• quick return to daily activity - usually on the day of the procedure

Taking into account the advantages of this method, it is expected that in a few years it will become the basic method of treating superficial vein insufficiency.

What does EVLT laser surgery for varicose veins look like?

This modern method of endovascular treatment allows for closing the lumen of a large vein without making incisions in the skin, which is impossible to achieve using traditional methods. The essence of this method is to introduce a catheter into the lumen of the failing vein, the tip of which emits laser light. The energy released in a fraction of a second causes the ineffective vein to quickly constrict and close. It is not necessary to remove this vein as in traditional surgical methods. Immediately after the procedure, the patient can get up and walk - there is no need for treatment or hospitalization.

• during the first visit, the surgeon performs an ultrasound examination of the veins to examine the degree of venous insufficiency
• At the beginning of the procedure, the doctor marks (maps) the venous system using an ultrasound machine - the entire procedure is performed under ultrasound control. Points of the main venous trunks and their branches and ineffective perforators marked on the skin, as well as places of laser fiber insertion
• the skin and subcutaneous tissue are anesthetized locally
• When preparing the patient under ultrasound guidance, a special catheter is inserted into the vein through which the optical fiber will be introduced in the next stage. The catheter is inserted through a small puncture or incision about 5 mm long
• the laser is activated and the surgeon, under ultrasound guidance, slowly withdraws the fiber causing the ineffective vessel to close
• a pressure dressing is placed on the limb (usually in the form of a special graduated compression stocking)
• the patient can leave the treatment site 30 minutes after the procedure and return to normal life activities

Patients who are afraid of major operations in hospital conditions, as well as those with advanced disease, can undergo this treatment quickly, without pain, without hospitalization and long convalescence.

Recommendations before the procedure:

• discontinuation of hormonal drugs (especially contraceptive drugs) at least 3 weeks before surgery
• shaving or depilating hair (chemical depilation using depilatory ointments or creams) from the skin in the area where the treatment is planned
• avoiding photosensitizing ointments and creams in the period around the procedure, e.g. Vit.A
• it is recommended to come to the treatment with an accompanying person (the patient cannot drive a motor vehicle after the treatment)
• due to post-operative dressings, clothing should be loose and comfortable shoes (preferably with flat heels)

Recommendations after the procedure:

• it is recommended to wear compression stockings or compression dressings for at least 14 days
• first independent dressing change after 24 hours
• exercise should be avoided for two weeks after the procedure

Effects of the treatment:

Contraindications:

• lymphedema
• peripheral arterial insufficiency
• previous/active thromboembolism
• clot or adhesions in the treated vessel
• inflammatory changes in the limb undergoing treatment
• hypercoagulable state
• pregnancy
• allergic to local anesthetics

Required tests before the procedure:

• blood type test
• coagulation system parameters (APTT,PT)
• morphology
• ECG

Why do we perform endovascular procedures using the FOTONA SPECTRO SP endovascular laser?

Fotona neodymium-jag Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers are modern devices enabling a number of procedures in the field of surgery, dermatology and aesthetic medicine. The spectrum of applications is very wide, ranging from laser epilation, through acne treatment, photorejuvenation, to the treatment of skin cancer, removal of varicose veins and laser lipolysis procedures. The Spectro SP laser achieves maximum effects with a minimum depth of laser beam penetration. This laser is the ideal tool for fast, cold ablation.

Innovation of the Fotona Spectro SP endovascular laser

This laser is equipped with a number of innovative solutions such as EFC (impulse feedback control) - a system that provides a previously unavailable degree of control over the energy of the laser beam pulse. Thanks to each calibration of the device, the laser always provides a beam with precisely defined parameters, which increases the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Another innovative feature of Fotona Spectro SP lasers is the VSP (variable square pulse - patented solution) system, which allows the generation of a pulse with given parameters with a negligible rise and fall time of the pulse energy. . This increases the efficiency of the laser beam and simultaneously improves the effectiveness and speed of treatment compared to other devices.

Thanks to the highest power and advanced safety system, the Fotona Spectro SP laser is the fastest and safest laser on the market.

The security of the Fotona Spectro SP system is:

• EFC (impulse feedback control) Thanks to this system, we avoid a decrease in laser power during the treatment, which could lead to weaker or incomplete effects. We also do not have to worry about energy surges that may cause tissue damage.
• VSP (variable square pulse) Unlike other systems where there is a sudden spike in energy and then a slow drop, in the Fotona Spectro SP system the pulse energy distribution is even . This protects us against overheating and tissue burns. At the same time, the effectiveness and safety of treatments are radically improved

The effectiveness of the Fotona Spectro SP system is:

The neodymium-jag laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm is the deepest penetrating laser beam available on the market, thanks to which it can destroy large-diameter vessels deeply hidden under the skin. At the same time, thanks to homogeneous penetration, it has a very wide range of applications and minimizes the risk of tissue damage. High power in quasi-continuous pulse mode is 30 Watts. The competition doesn't even come close to this result. Thanks to this, treatments performed with the Fotona Spectro SP system are much faster and more effective. With this laser system, all patient needs can be met, achieving excellent clinical results and unprecedented gentleness.