Endovenous ablation is a procedure that employs energy to cauterize (burn) and seal varicose veins. It is used by doctors to treat symptoms such as pain, edema, and irritation. Ablation is less intrusive than surgery and leaves almost no scars. 

 

Please inform our doctors of any recent illnesses, medical problems, or allergies. List all of your prescriptions, including herbal supplements and aspirin. Before your operation, our doctors may advise you to cease using aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, or blood thinners.

 

 

What is Varicose Vein Treatment (Endovenous Varicose Vein Ablation)? 

Varicose veins are excessively big veins that are commonly found in the legs. Normally, blood flows from the heart to the legs via arteries and then back to the heart via veins. One-way valves in veins allow blood to return from the legs against gravity. When the valves fail, blood accumulates in the veins, causing them to expand and become varicose. 

 

Endovenous ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that is image-guided. It cauterizes (burns) and closes the aberrant veins that contribute to varicose veins using radiofrequency or laser light.

 

 

What are some of the procedure's most prevalent applications? 

This treatment may be used by doctors for aesthetic objectives. It is, however, more commonly used to alleviate symptoms such as: 

 

• Throbbing or agonizing pain 
• Leg fatigue/heaviness, edema, skin irritation or sores (ulcers)  
• Discolouration of the skin 
• Uncomfortable vein enlargement (phlebitis)

 

 

How should I get ready? 

Inform our doctors about all of your prescriptions, including herbal supplements. Include any allergies, particularly to local anesthetics, general anesthesia, or contrast materials. Before your operation, our doctors may advise you to cease taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or blood thinners. 

 

Wear loose, comfy clothes. You must remove any clothes and jewelry from the area being examined. 

 

For the procedure, you will need to change into a gown.

 

 

Describe the appearance of the equipment

An ultrasound machine, catheter, radiofrequency electrode or laser fiber, and console are used in this operation. 

 

A computer console, a video display, and an associated transducer comprise an ultrasound machine. The transducer is a compact, portable device that looks like a microphone. During certain tests, different transducers (with varying capacities) may be used. The transducer emits inaudible high-frequency sound waves into the body and listens for echoes. The same concepts apply to boat and submarine sonar.

 

The doctor adds a little quantity of gel to the region being examined before inserting the transducer. Sound waves can move back and forth between the transducer and the region under inspection thanks to the gel. On a video display, the ultrasound picture is instantly apparent. The picture is generated by the computer depending on the amplitude (volume), pitch (frequency), and time it takes for the ultrasound signal to return to the transducer. It also examines the sort of bodily structure and/or tissue through which the sound is traveling. 

 

A catheter is a long, thin plastic tube that is about the size of a "pencil lead." It has a diameter of roughly 1/8 inch. 

 

Long thin cables called laser fibers and radiofrequency electrodes transport energy from power sources into the body.

 

 

How is the process carried out? 

The vein is seen via ultrasonography by the doctor. Through a tiny incision, a fiber or electrode is transferred to the appropriate spot within the vein. Local anesthetic is administered into the tissues around the vein, causing the vein to collapse around the fiber or electrode and function as insulation for the heat of the energy. The energy warms the vessel, causing it to shut. The defective vein will shrink and "scar down" as a result of the operation.

 

 

How does the technique work? 

Image-guided, minimally invasive treatments like as ablation are performed by a properly trained interventional radiologist. 

 

This treatment is frequently performed as an outpatient procedure. However, some individuals may need to be admitted after the surgery. Consult your doctor to see whether you need to be hospitalised. 

 

To alleviate discomfort, your radiologist may first administer a numbing lotion to the region around the aberrant vein. 

 

The doctor will clean and sanitize the area before covering it with a surgical drape. 

 

A local anesthetic will be used by your doctor to numb the region where the catheter will enter the aberrant vein. The ultrasonic transducer will be used by the clinician to investigate the vein and trace its journey. 

 

At the spot, the doctor will make a very little skin incision.

 

The doctor inserts a catheter through the skin and places it within the aberrant vein using ultrasound guidance. The catheter is used to implant the fiber or electrode. Pulling the catheter back slightly exposes the fiber or electrode tip. 

 

Under ultrasound supervision, a local anesthetic is given around the aberrant vein. As the catheter is progressively removed, energy warms the vein. 

 

The doctor puts pressure to the wound to control bleeding and wraps a bandage over it. Sutures are not required. 

 

This operation is normally finished in an hour.

 

 

What can I expect throughout the procedure? 

When lasers are in use, you must wear safety eyewear. 

 

The treatment area will be cleaned and numb by the doctor. 

 

As the local anesthetic is administered at the vein access site and throughout the length of the vein, you will feel small pinpricks. 

 

Within a short period of time, this region will become numb. 

 

When the doctor inserts the catheter, you may feel little pressure, but no major discomfort.

 

The most irritating element of the surgery is the administration of local anesthetic surrounding the vein, which frequently takes numerous injections along the vein. The actual closing of the vein with heat is typically painless.

 

Following treatment, you will be required to wear a gradient compression stocking. This will assist to decrease bruising, pain, and the uncommon likelihood of blood clots forming.

 

You can resume your usual activities immediately. During the healing phase, stay active and avoid spending too much time in bed. Idleness may raise the likelihood of difficulties. However, you should refrain from heavy physical activity for a few days after the treatment.

 

 

How do I acquire the findings and who interprets them? 

A follow-up ultrasound examination is required to evaluate the treated vein and look for negative effects. The target vein ought to be successfully sealed off within a week. To treat the related veins, other treatments (such sclerotherapy or phlebectomy) can be required.

 

 

What are the advantages compared to the risks? 

 

Advantages 

 

• There is merely a minor nick in the skin that doesn't require sutures; no surgical incision is required. 

 

• Ablation is more successful, has fewer problems, and is linked with significantly less discomfort during recovery as compared to conventional vein stripping procedures. 

 

• There are no risks or consequences with ablation. 

 

• Due to the need for relatively small skin holes during catheter installation rather than extensive incisions, this surgery essentially leaves no scars. 

 

• Less invasive than traditional surgery is ablation. 

 

• Twelve months following the treatment, the majority of the treated veins are almost undetectable, even with ultrasonography. 

 

• Most patients have symptom alleviation and may resume their regular daily activities with little to no discomfort.

 

 

Risks 

 

• A risk of infection exists with any surgery that involves skin penetration. A fewer than one in 1,000 likelihood of infection necessitating antibiotic therapy is suggested. 

 

• There are dangers involved with any treatment that inserts a catheter within a blood vessel. These dangers include of infection, bleeding or bruising at the puncture site, and damage to the blood vessel. To lessen these dangers, the doctor will take appropriate measures. 

 

• There may be some post-procedure bruising and pain. These adverse effects could be lessened by wearing compression stockings. 

 

• There have been occasional cases of nerve injury caused by heat. This is uncommon and often disappears quickly.

 

By RECMED Medical - Cardiovascular Surgeons