EVLT in Orange County
Vein Treatment in San Clemente and Dana Point

Endovenus Laser Treatment (EVLT)
Endovenus laser is one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in the treatment of varicose vein disorders. Traditionally, patients diagnosed with venous reflux would undergo vein stripping surgery. Today a procedure called EVLT can treat the condition thus providing a minimally invasive alternative to the painful vein stripping surgery. EVLT is a clinically proven procedure that corrects unsightly varicose veins and their underlying cause with little or no pain.
This procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia in which the physician numbs the leg before treatment. Patients can walk away from the procedure and be back to everyday activities. Most medical insurances including Medicare cover this treatment for patients that suffer from painful or symptomatic leg veins.

Procedure:
This Procedure consists of 4 steps:

Mapping of the Saphenous Vein: A typical procedure begins with noninvasive ultrasound imaging of the diseased vein to trace its location. This allows the physician to determine the site where the laser fiber will be inserted and to mark the desired position of the fiber tip to begin treatment.

Insertion of the Laser Fiber: After the physician accesses the saphenous vein, the laser fiber is inserted into the vein and advanced to the uppermost segment of the vein. The physician then typically injects a volume of dilute anesthetic fluid into the area surrounding the vein. This numbs the leg, helps squeeze blood out of the vein and provides a fluid layer outside the vein to protect surrounding tissue from heat once the fiber starts delivering laser energy.

Delivery of Laser Energy and Withdrawal of Fiber: Noninvasive ultrasound is used to confirm the fiber tip position and the physician then activates the laser machine. As the vein wall is heated, the vein shrinks and the fiber is gradually withdrawn. During fiber pullback, which typically occurs over 4 to 10 minutes, the entire vein is ablated (or closed).

Confirm Closing of Vein: After treatment, ultrasound imaging is used to confirm closing of the vein. If a portion of the vein is not closed, the fiber can be reinserted and laser reapplied. After the procedure, the narrowed vein gradually becomes fibrous, sealing the interior of the vein walls and naturally redirecting blood flow to healthy veins. Experienced physicians often complete the procedure in 30 to 45 minutes.