Endovenous-laser-ablation-evla-varicose-veins
Over 40 years of expert care
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Established Clinics
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Over 40 years of expert care
Best UK Group & 5 star reviews
Nationwide Clinics
Award treatment plans
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) Varicose Vein Treatment
Varicose veins often appear as large or bulging veins on the surface of the leg. In some cases, varicose veins can cause patients to experience an itching sensation on the site of the legs, aching or muscle cramping.
Endovenous Laser Ablation is our most popular and frequently used varicose vein removal treatment. It was developed in the USA in 2000 to treat bulging varicose veins and has since gone on to revolutionise the varicose vein removal process by giving patients a walk-in, walk-out procedure that is clinically for its excellent efficacy results.
It has a proven success rate of 95%, as proven in 5 major clinical studies. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends it as the modern-day Gold Standard treatment for varicose veins removal. As one of the best methods for treating the underlying causes of varicose veins, it has multiple advantages over traditional techniques like vein stripping.
EVLA, also known as Endovenous Laser Ablation therapy, or OnabotulinumtoxinAAbobotulinumtoxinAIncobotulinumtoxinAPrabotulinumtoxinALetibotulinumtoxinARimabotulinumtoxinBHyaluronic Acid FillersCalcium Hydroxylapatite FillersPoly-L-lactic Acid FillersPolymethylmethacrylate FillersAutologous Fat GraftingForehead Lines TreatmentGlabellar Frown Lines TreatmentCrow's Feet TreatmentBunny Lines TreatmentChemical Brow LiftLip FlipGummy Smile CorrectionMasseter ReductionJaw SlimmingDimpled Chin SmoothingCobblestone Chin SmoothingNefertiti Neck LiftMicro-BotoxMesotoxHyperhidrosis TreatmentChronic Migraine ReliefBruxism TreatmentTMJ TreatmentCervical Dystonia TreatmentNeck Spasm TreatmentBlepharospasm TreatmentLip AugmentationLip ContouringCheekbone EnhancementTear Trough FillersNasolabial Fold SofteningMarionette Line FillersLiquid RhinoplastyNon-Surgical Nose JobJawline ContouringJawline DefinitionChin AugmentationTemple VolumisingHand RejuvenationAcne Scar Subcision Filling just laser therapy, is a method to treat varicose veins using an ultrasound-guided laser fibre. It involves locating damaged veins and faulty vein valves using ultrasound imagery before using laser heat energy to collapse and destroy the problem vein. Short pulses of laser energy collapse the vein walls and close them off. Blood then redirects itself through healthier veins with no valve damage.
EVLA is a laser varicose vein treatment that destroys damaged veins from the inside. Its name gives this away, as the term ‘endovenous’ means �[https://peptidelabuk.co.uk/ �inside] the vein’ while ‘ablation’ means to . Its laser light energy delivers intense heat that collapses the damaged walls of the veins.
EVLA is a treatment to remedy the underlying causes of the bulging and swollen varicose veins and not just the symptoms. It is frequently used to treat varicose veins in the legs and is ideal for treating deeper veins as well as primary and secondary veins (the largest veins of the human body that run through the legs). However, EVLA is not designed to treat bulging superficial veins that are close to the surface of the skin. Other treatments like phlebectomy are more suited to this.
EVLA works to address venous reflux, the underlying cause of bulging varicose veins. When veins look swollen, bumpy and purple, it is because the valves that regulate blood flow through them have stopped working properly. The valves force blood to flow in the right direction towards the heart, but if they stop working properly, blood pools and collects inside the vein, flowing backwards and collecting in bulges. In order to stop the blood from flowing in the wrong direction and pooling inside the damaged vein, we need to seal it off completely, as there is no viable way to fix the tiny valves themselves. EVLA does this by using heat to directly destroy the faulty vein channels. They then shrivel away, which fixes the incorrect blood flow issue.
Thanks to its minimally invasive approach and quick treatment time, EVLA has a range of key benefits:
The first step on your journey to removing your varicose veins with EVLA is taking a consultation with one of our professional consultant vascular surgeons. During this appointment, we will assess the current condition of your varicose veins using our . This machine gives your vascular surgeon a deep visual analysis of your veins so that they can identify the exact faulty and damaged areas that they need to treat. It will showcase how your blood is flowing through the varicose vein, while guiding the surgeon to the exact location where they need to make a small to deliver the laser vein treatment.
You will also receive a explanation of the procedure at this stage so that you fully understand what to expect during the treatment, as well as the expected success rate and results. It also gives you a chance to ask your surgeon any pertinent questions about the treatment. Once this has been performed and both parties are happy to proceed, then the EVLA procedure can take place.
A local anaesthetic will be applied to the targeted treatment area once this has been determined from the duplex ultrasound scan. This will ease pain or discomfort during the treatment.
After a small incision is made at the treatment location, ultrasound is used to guide a thin plastic tube or catheter into your affected varicose vein using a small needle and wire. The tiny EVLA laser fibre will then be fed through the catheter and into the damaged vein. Once the fibre is in position, another round of local anaesthetic will be administered along the entire length of the affected vein to completely numb the leg and the areas that surround the vein. This ensures a safe and painless process while the treatment takes place.
The light energy from the laser is intense and heats up the vein walls to such a degree that it destroys them. After this process has happened, blood will no longer be able to flow through the faulty channel, and the body will naturally redirect blood flow through a much healthier route, without the presence of faulty vein valves.
Your body will naturally absorb the treated dead vein tissue left behind, before dispelling it through natural a few weeks after the treatment.
As a fast procedure, EVLA typically takes less than 45 minutes to complete. Once the procedure has taken place, we will schedule a review appointment with you to check your progress and see if any further vein treatments are necessary.
EVLA’s laser treatment will work instantly at destroying the varicose vein walls. Most patients will witness a good result as soon as their treatment takes place. But it will take a few weeks for your body to break down the treated varicose vein and remove it completely. Patients usually notice results 6 weeks after the procedure.
When it comes to EVLA results, independent studies have revealed that the procedure has an outstanding success rate of 95%. Results vary from patient to patient, but in cases where the first treatment does not completely the affected vein, we can apply follow-ups to maximise final results. However, Endovenous Laser Ablation has shown itself to be successful for 95% of patients who receive the treatment the first time around. It is therefore very rare that patients would need follow-up treatment after having EVLA.
As a multi-award-winning clinic with a 5-star Trustpilot rating, the vast majority of our EVLA patients have exceptional results.
Immediately after your procedure, the treated leg will be bandaged to reduce the likelihood of swelling and bruising. A tight compression stocking will then be to secure the . This should be worn for at least 1 week to allow your legs to recover and heal . Once the stocking has been fitted, you will be free to return to your normal activities. Your treated legs may feel numb after the treatment due to the after-effects of the local anaesthetic. We therefore advise you to walk or use arranged transportation to get home from your treatment clinic. Treated patients must have at least 24 hours of rest before they can drive again.
1 week after treatment, the will be removed. Patients can then wear surgical stockings for another 2-4 weeks to aid the healing process. It is common to feel some initial discomfort in the treatment area around 1-2 days after treatment. Bruising and swelling can also last for 1-2 weeks. But these skin pigmentation changes should usually settle down in 1 to 2 months post-treatment.
Most EVLA patients experience little to no pain during their recovery period. You can also get back to normal activities straight away after having the procedure.
A small minority of patients may severe pain and may have to take a few days off work with rest and pain relief to reduce this unlikely side effect. This situation happens in rare cases and is likely to occur a week following the procedure rather than straight away.
Most people find the laser firing a little strange, although not . At The Private Clinic, thousands of our patients have EVLA each year and many liken the experience to a less tense or unpleasant of visiting the dentist.
EVLA is sometimes referred to as EVLT by some clinics. EVLT stands for Endovenous Laser Treatment or Endovenous Laser Therapy and is a registered trademark for one specific type of laser treatment that was the first to be invented back in 2000 to treat varicose veins. EVLA on the other hand is an umbrella term that describes any varicose vein laser treatment to rectify and treat varicose veins. Many other companies have now developed their own brand of laser treatment, hence the generalised umbrella term of EVLA that is now used today. For more information about the difference, explore our post.
While EVLA treats the underlying venous reflux that leads to the formation of visible bulging varicose veins, it does not treat surface veins directly. EVLA fixes venous reflux in the saphenous and/or perforator veins that lead to visible varicose veins. In some cases, we may therefore recommend combining an EVLA treatment with one of our other varicose vein removal methods such as foam sclerotherapy or phlebectomy. Phlebectomy is a simple procedure that is ideal for removing veins at the surface of the skin. It results in the vein’s immediate removal and disappearance, leaving you with varicose vein free legs and a dramatic visible and physical improvement in your symptoms.
Seeking out a personalised consultation with our consultant surgeons is the best way to gain reliable advice about EVLA. As a clinic, we have been performing varicose vein treatments for over 40 years and have an outstanding for patient satisfaction and results.
To find out more about our EVLA treatment, or any of our , fill out our . Alternatively, you can call us on . We are conveniently located across the country at our nationwide clinic locations in , , and .
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About The Private Clinic
The Private Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in advanced minimally invasive non surgical treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with and we are regulated by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.
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