The Vein Care Centre at KY Imaging
Veins are the vessels that return blood to the heart once it has circulated through the body (as opposed to arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body). They have one-way valves that help keep blood flowing in the proper direction. If these valves stop functioning the way they are supposed to, blood can flow backwards and pool in the vein, causing it to stretch. These enlarged blood vessels are classified into two groups: spider veins and varicose veins.
Spider veins are visible red or blue blood vessels that may spread like a web across the skin anywhere on the body, most commonly on the face and legs. Varicose veins are blood vessels with weak walls that swell or balloon outward, raising the skin surface.
How can I use Endovenous Laser Treatment to eliminate them?
Endovenous ablation is the state-of-the-art method used to eliminate the incompetent saphenous veins. This new procedure is performed without a surgical incision. With the endovenous laser procedure, a special laser fiber is placed through a needle in the saphenous vein and energy is applied which heats the inside of the vein destroying the lining and fibrosing the vein. This procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia. At the end of the procedure, the leg is wrapped with an elastic bandage or compressing stocking to be used for a week, and the patient is asked to walk normally. In the post-operative period there is minimal pain and over-the-counter analgesics is usually all what is needed. The patient can return to full normal activities the next day.
What can I expect during this procedure?
Through a needle that has been inserted in the saphenous vein under local anesthesia, a fiber optic fiber is passed all the way up to the groin and it is positioned in place using ultrasound. The fiber is connected to a laser generator, and as it is slowly withdrawn, the laser heats the vein and closes it.
What will happen after the procedure?
With spider veins, you can expect an improvement in cosmetic appearance of about 80%. During the first week, there will be minimal or no pain, so an over the counter pill such as Motrin will suffice. In the second and third week you may feel pulling in the area of the vein. This minor discomfort is the result of the vein undergoing a process of healing due to the laser action. The most common side effect of the treatment is a brownish discoloration in the area of the spider that usually disappears after 3 to 6 months. The final results have been excellent both in the short and long term, and the recurrence rate for varicose veins is only about 5%.
To learn more visit our website: www.kyimaging.ky or call us on (345) 943-6800
