Endovenous ablation is a procedure that helps remove vascular malformations. This procedure uses a laser to damage the incompetent vein. Once the vein is damaged, scar tissue forms, which causes the vein to close, redirecting blood to other, healthier veins in the body.
What is it?
An endovenous ablation is an option for people with varicose veins and spider veins, especially ones that are causing swelling and pain. Lasers are used to heat the blood within malformed veins to destroy particular blood vessels. This heat causes scar tissue to form, which closes the vein and redirects blood to healthier veins in the body.
What should I do to prepare?
Individuals should not take aspirin seven days before treatment. Individuals may also need to avoid other regular medications, such as blood thinners. If going under general anesthesia, patients should not consume food twelve hours before the procedure and may need to avoid certain dietary supplements and medications.
What happens during the process?
This procedure uses local anesthesia. A needle is used to guide a laser fiber through the skin towards the target vein. Ultrasound imaging can also be used to locate the vessel. Then, laser light is transmitted towards the vein, causing it to collapse.
What are the risks and potential complications?
This procedure may lead to numbness, deep vein thrombosis, varicose vein recurrence, bruising, leg cramping, and pain.
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