Endovenous laser ablation therapy

Dr Sridhar Devu is a Consultant Interventional Radiologist. He has over 11 years of experience in the field of Radio Diagnosis, Image-guided Interventions and is an expert in Minimally invasive Endovascular Interventions and Day care Oncology related procedures.

Endovenous laser ablation therapy

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged or bulged veins in the legs. It looks like cords in the legs in blue of dark purple in colour. The veins In the legs are affected as because of walking, standing for long time, so our body puts pressure on the veins in the legs. This occurs in the legs around the calves behind the knee and in lower leg.

Varicose veins does not cause pain but in some case it will be itching and causing pain. Severe painful symptoms are

• Ache in the legs
• Burning or throbbing, muscle cramping
• Worsened pain after standing for long time
• Swelling in lower leg

Treatment should begin if symptoms get worse.

Treatment

For this treatment only local anaesthesia or numbness in the lower part of the leg is required. A small catheter will be inserted in to the numb area of the leg and laser light will be passed on it. The heat from the laser light helps to shrinks or closes the bulged veins eventually and now nearby veins can circulate the blood throughout the body. This is called as Endovenous laser ablation therapy. Once the bulged veins are treated then slowly the catheter will be removed from the leg and one small bandage is enough, the cut area will be closed.

Advantages of the treatment

• Simple procedure
• Minimal time is required for surgery
• Less painful
• Can walk on the same day
• No scar or stitches

Interventional Radiology is the latest frontier in Medicine, paving new ways and methods of treatment options all done through a 3mm hole in a vessel.

Medicine is evolving continuously at a tremendous speed adding years to average life span, unraveling new diseases and complex presentations.

Increased access to technology, restricted physical activities, unhealthy lifestyle are contributing to the constant increase in lifestyle related disorders such as obesity, varicose veins, high blood pressure and other associated diseases from an earlier age.

Similar to the way all the gadgets have become more sleek and sophisticated, surgical procedures too have become more advanced to a point of day-care solutions being offered to many diseases. In this regard Interventional Radiology has been a torchbearer, imbibing the innovations and uses image guidance in providing minimally invasive and laser accurate targeted therapies.

The spectrum of Interventional Radiology includes pain management, peripheral vascular disease, men’s & woman’s health, cancer and stoke management. An interventional radiologist provides emergency care like controlling internal bleeder (Embolization) and also electively increasing flow to a non-healing ulcer on foot (Angioplasty).

An Interventional Radiologist works in close association with other care providers to provide an integrated care, and adds significantly to the armamentarium especially when the options are significantly limited.

Almost all the procedures are done under local anesthesia, thereby surgically unfit patients are also taken care of, warding off the risks associated with anesthesia and prolonged stay in the hospital, hence the costs involved are minimized and rapid recovery is ensured.

Interventional Radiology uses the imaging modules such as ultrasound, CT and C-arm (X-Rays), and with aid of wires and catheters reaches the target organs via the blood vessels by entering through a small prick of 3mm. The hazards associated with radiation are kept to the lowest possible by constant application of evolving technology and other protective measures.

We the expert strongly recommend these kind of procedures to remove varicose veins easily. To know more about this treatment ask me or call me +91-9705189994

Dr Sridhar Devu is a Consultant Interventional Radiologist. He has over 11 years of experience in the field of Radio Diagnosis.