Varicose veins of the legs – is not only a cosmetic problem but a serious pathology, which is accompanied by dangerous health consequences. Treatment of varicose veins with laser is one of the most modern, low-invasive and reliable ways to cope with the disease at an early stage. It allows to achieve excellent aesthetic effect, you'll be minimal risk of complications and shorter rehabilitation period.
Traditional medical therapy combined with physical therapy and wearing of correctional linen also gives good results, but does not address the root cause of the disease. To radically solve the problem of diseased vessels requires surgical intervention. The classic operation for removal (phlebectomy) is tolerated, because it is very traumatic and involves a significant risk of infectious complications. This method is gradually disappearing. Being replaced by minimally invasive procedures (sclerotherapy, laser), which give excellent results and allow you to quickly and painlessly get rid of varicose veins.
Laser treatment: the procedure
Varicose vein laser surgery is considered the most reliable and effective method of treatment. The basis of this method is the use of thermal effect for coagulation of blood vessels. Simply put, the optical fiber introduced in the affected vessel during operation, emits a flow of energy. This radiation is absorbed by the hemoglobin of the blood heat, which heats the blood cells and the vessel wall. As a result, the blood is squeezed out of the vessels, and she Vienna "signati". Blood flow stops completely and the venous outflow from the surrounding tissue is already being implemented through other, healthy veins.
Wearing compression garments after treatment of varicose veins laser reinforces the effect, creating additional pressure on blood vessels and not allowing to recover the blood flow in the damaged vein. Dishes with time overgrown connective tissue. The implementation of measures of prevention of varicose veins will not develop lesions in other veins, so that the disease will be cured forever.
The advantages of this method in his low-trauma, lack of blood loss and large incisions. And since there is no entrance gate of infection, and the risk of damage to adjacent tissues and possible complications are minimized.
Treatment of varicose veins with laser is less traumatic procedure, it requires no special preparation and is performed under local anesthesia. The operation is carried out only in a specialized medical institution for the progress of the operation conducted ultrasonic testing in real-time. That is, the surgeon using ultrasound monitors the promotion of led in Vienna. Before the operation the patient must pass the necessary examination, which specifies the location of the affected venous vessel and is the most optimal method of laser coagulation.
When assigned to surgery: indications
The reason for the surgery treatment of varicose veins with laser is varicose saphenous veins (great and small). Laser is applied if the mouth of these veins are not dilated more than 1cm, the vessels have a smooth move without sharp bends, and branches of healthy or slightly expanded. That is, the laser is only effective on the initial stage of varicose veins, in a low degree of severity of the process and only when applied on the subcutaneous veins. If the disease started and struck the vein more than 1 cm, a strong likelihood that in the future Vienna again "evolve" and the treatment will be ineffective.
Medical laser has a therapeutic effect in a very small area – this allows you to avoid its negative impact on the surrounding tissue. Therefore, the use of laser therapy on large areas of damaged blood vessels, as well as for deep veins, is inefficient. In these cases it is necessary to use other methods of surgical treatment, more suitable to this situation (for example, the classic phlebectomy).
Contraindications
Except when the laser will be ineffective, there are situations where its application may harm the health of the patient. Contraindications for laser treatment quite a lot, they can be divided into absolute and relative:
Absolute contraindications
At the absolute contraindications to carry out therapeutic manipulation you should not. The list of such States includes:
- tendency to thrombosis and thrombophlebitis;
- chronic disorders of the blood and lymph circulation in the legs;
- heavy hitting the walls of the veins.
In these diseases the laser can damage blood vessels or trigger a massive thrombosis. Also contraindications include the inability to move actively and to wear compression stockings. Without these events in the postoperative period laser treatment can lose its effectiveness, and also to provoke inflammation in the vessel.
Relative contraindications
Relative contraindications are those in which the operation must be postponed. This is the inflammation on the skin of the legs, especially near the site of the future incision, worsening of chronic diseases. In this case, it is necessary first to treat the comorbidities, and only then carry out the operation. If this is not done, it is very high risk of complications in the postoperative period – from both the operated vein, and from the disease, which has become a contraindication for laser treatment.
The operation should not be performed during pregnancy and breast-feeding, because in this period the immune system is weakened, and the load on the lower limb higher than usual. For the same reason, difficult the laser treatment of varicose veins in people who are overweight – they are worse tolerate anesthesia, and due to a large load on the feet of possible complications in the postoperative period.
The procedure of varicose vein treatment leg veins laser
Despite the high cost of treatment of varicose veins with laser, this procedure is gaining popularity due to its simplicity and efficiency. To determine the presence of indications for surgery, pre do a duplex ultrasound examination. It helps to see the veins ' structure, the degree of damage and disturbance of blood flow. If vessel status of the patient allows to carry out laser treatment, you schedule the surgery.
The day of the procedure special preparation of patient is required. If necessary, you can take a sedative. Before surgery is another duplex angiography, all manipulations take place under the control of us. Small scale operation allows us to avoid General anesthesia and its associated complications – laser treatment is performed under local anesthesia, which anaesthetises the puncture site.
The operation for the treatment of varicose veins with laser is that through a small puncture in the skin of the tibia in the damaged vessels enter the optical fiber connected to the laser apparatus. Then with the help of laser radiation is the coagulation of the damaged vessel, after which the fiber is removed, puncture site is treated with local antiseptic and a sterile bandage. The operation itself lasts about 15 -30 minutes (for processing one leg).
After the forced lying on the operating table moves in the vertical position it is recommended to slowly and gradually – at first to sit and then stand up. This will help to avoid vascular collapse at sudden changes of body position. More there are no restrictions. Some time after the procedure, the patient can go home.
The postoperative period
Before the surgery the patient in advance to purchase compression garments – stockings or tights. The degree of compression is negotiated with the doctor in advance.
Once produced, removal of varicose veins with laser, you need to wear a compression stocking on the leg. During the first two days you should wear it constantly, day and night. Then, if there are no complications, the doctor will be allowed to remove medical linen for the night. Duration of wearing medical hosiery gradually decreases as it is operated the vessel is completely overgrown connective tissue. Because of the need to wear compressive underwear surgery try to appoint to the cold season, the patient felt no discomfort with prolonged wearing of stockings. In addition, the health of patients with diseases of blood vessels much better in cool weather than in hot weather.
In the first week after treatment of varicose veins with a laser, you should avoid high load on the legs, weight lifting, it is impossible to visit bath, sauna or pool. In the future, you need to gradually increase the degree of physical activity. Recommended Hiking, running and Cycling, aerobics, swimming. The patient can play sports, walk long distances, drive a vehicle. The contraction of striated muscles of the legs will perform the function of an additional pump and improve venous outflow from the lower extremities. This is a natural mechanism that will help to avoid recurrence of varicose veins after surgery.
Get to work, if it is not connected with the big physical exercise or prolonged standing on his feet almost immediately, even on the day of surgery. Feasible work at home, you can also perform a few days after intervention. Walking can and should be in the first few minutes after surgery, wearing compression underwear.
Possible complications
Treatment of varicose veins with laser is very popular due to the short recovery period, no pain and minimal risk of complications. However, they were not excluded. During the surgery may experience pain when properly conducted anaesthesia. After the procedure, pain can occur in the course of surgical veins. If the soreness does not subside for two days, you need to see a doctor – it could be a sign of serious complications.
Errors in carrying out the manipulation can cause burns of the skin and soft tissues, hematoma at the puncture site, infection and inflammatory processes. In rare cases, possible thrombosis, including deep, leading to a marked deterioration of the patient. You should immediately contact your doctor if:
- in the first two days the pain along the vein during the puncture does not decrease or increase;
- the skin around the puncture site showed signs of inflammation – redness and increased local temperature, the appearance of purulent foci;
- when walking there is pain in the muscles of the legs, swelling, feeling of heaviness;
- appeared pathological pigmentation on the skin of the feet;
- fever;
- have any other unpleasant sensations in the legs – a violation of sensitivity, paresthesia.
In order to diagnose these complications, it is recommended that on the second day after the surgery to see a doctor – phlebologist and regularly comes in for a checkup.
Prevention
Experts advise to follow some simple preventive measures to prevent possible recurrence of the disease:
- monitor weight and to prevent the emergence of extra pounds;
- avoid prolonged sitting or standing in one position, to get rid of the habit of sitting in the posture "foot to foot";
- it is recommended that proper and adequate nutrition, avoiding harmful habits (Smoking, alcohol);
- shoes need to choose comfy, natural materials and on a small, stable heel;
- should abandon a sedentary lifestyle, try to move more, play sports and not give up moderate physical activity.
The advantages of laser therapy of veins
Laser treatment of varicose veins has many significant advantages over other methods of surgical intervention. Here are the main advantages of laser therapy:
- there is no need to put patients in a hospital, the procedure is performed in outpatient conditions;
- the operation is performed under local anesthesia, which is well tolerated by patients;
- the procedure allows to achieve excellent cosmetic effect, as access to the affected Vienna is via a small puncture. Since there are no incisions, the skin is left with scars and other defects;
- the use of modern equipment allows to uniformly diffuse the laser light inside the vein to achieve a quality finish. As a result, after the intervention, the skin is left hematoma;
- during laser procedure treating both legs, manipulation is just a 30 -40 minute;
- short and painless rehabilitation period. After surgery, the patient returns home and a few days can return to normal life;
- to date, laser coagulation of blood vessels is the most effective and safe method for the treatment of varicose veins, which avoids complications (thrombophlebitis, secondary infections).
Cons of laser treatment
For all its appeal, this method has several disadvantages, among which are:
- the impossibility of applying the method of laser therapy in cases of severe varicose veins;
- in those cases, if the diameter of the saphenous vein is too large, will have to combine laser therapy with traditional surgery and avoid cuts on the skin will not work;
- another disadvantage is the compulsory wearing of compression underwear for 7 days after surgery;
- the main disadvantage for many patients is "biting" prices for the procedure.
Before you decide on laser therapy, it is necessary to weigh all "for" and "against", to pass a full examination and consult an experienced professional.
The cost of laser treatment of varicose veins
The cost of varicose vein treatment with laser is one of the major drawbacks of this method. It can vary within wide limits, depending on the degree of difficulty the individual patient, the equipment used, the status of the clinic and the qualifications of the surgeons.