How Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) Works?
- The procedure is done in the clinic using local anesthesia at the site of the procedure.
- The catheter is inserted into the vein.
- The laser beam is allowed to pass through the catheter.
- The same procedure is done on the other leg too if both legs would undergoing treatment.
- The procedure takes 20-30 minutes for one leg.
- The catheter and the laser are removed and the catheter insertion site is covered with a medical bandage.
Before & After EVLA Treatment
Before & After Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) Procedure
Before Procedure
- Drink plenty of water
- If sedative was prescribed (Xanax or Zolam), please take it 1 hour before procedure
- Do not apply creams or lotions to your leg before treatment
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing such as long pants, shorts, or skirt to accommodate bandage after treatment
- Let us know if you are taking oral contraceptive pills
After Procedure
Activity
- Maintain your normal level of activity
- Walk at least 30 minutes daily to promote healing and limit risk of complications
- Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for at least two weeks
- Do not sit or stand for long periods of time for the first week
- Avoid hot baths, or excessive sun exposure for the first week
Compression Stockings
- Keep the bandage under the stockings for 2 days
- Wear the compression stockings day and night for first two days after the procedure
- Continue to wear the stockings during the day only for the next 10 days
Dressing
- Keep the gauze and band-aids over the laser insertion site for 2 days
- After that you may shower. Remove the gauze dressing and wipe the entry site with antiseptic alcohol or betadine. Cover with band-aid until healed
Medications
A written prescription may be provided for pain medication to be taken as needed.
Follow Up
- Schedule your follow-up visit and Duplex (ultrasound) scan within 2 weeks after your procedure.
- Bruising and redness is normal. You may also feel a tugging sensation for the first week after the procedure. Sometimes people can feel a hard area like a pencil under the skin especially around the knee. This is normal and will go away in a few months. The discomfort goes away in a few weeks but should not inhibit your normal activities.
- Make sure you are taking your prescribed medications including pain killers
When To Call Your Doctor
- Pain not relieved by rest and/or pain medications
- Fever greater than 38 degrees celsius
- Difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the insertion site
We know you have some questions and concerns, We Have The Answers
EVLA is short for Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment. It is a medical procedure that is proven safe and works to not only treat the symptoms associated with varicose veins but the underlying conditions that cause the vein problems in the first place.
If you find yourself dealing with painful varicose veins, cramping in your legs, swelling, or restless legs, chances are good EVLA is right for you. EVLA focuses on veins that are larger and deeper in your legs — the smaller, more surface once are better suited for sclerotherapy. Your vascular specialist will be sure to come up with a treatment plan that caters to your specific needs, not a generalized one-size-fits-all plan.
Endovenous Laser Therapy is an outpatient procedure that is quite quick and painless. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a small optic fiber into the problem vein(s). Via that optic fiber, laser light is delivered in order to heat and, thus, collapse the unhealthy veins.
This may vary from person to person depending upon your personal level of pain tolerance, but, across the board, most patients report little to no pain when undergoing EVLA. The only time patients feel any pain is when the local anesthesia is delivered.
You can still eat and take any medication prior to the procedure. Simply show up to your appointment, check-in, and local anesthesia will get you through the rest.
This is one of the best parts about Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment — it is an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour and requires no hospitalization. Most patients do not experience high levels of discomfort post-treatment, and you should be on your feet and ready to take on your normal daily tasks in just a few hours.
You may have a bit of bruising after the procedure, but you can expect that to last no more than six weeks. As for scarring, no — you won’t have any scars. Because the procedure is performed via such a tiny cut in your skin, there will be no visible scar.
Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment has shown to be successful for 98% of patients the first time around. It is rare that patients will have to come back for a second treatment.
Though this is an outpatient procedure and a fairly minor one that does not require much downtime, there are a few things we recommend you do following the procedure.
The first of those is to stay away from running or heavy exercise of any form, as well as sitting or standing for too long during the first 48 hours after the procedure.
Second, we recommend that you wear compression stockings for 10 days to help with the healing.
Third, you may feel some slight discomfort, that can quickly be remedied simply by taking ibuprofen or a mild over-the-counter pain reliever.
Most treatments for refluxing main veins are covered by major insurance companies. However, you can discuss your specific coverage more in-depth with your vein specialist during your consultation.