Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) Chicago

Endovenous Laser Therapy, otherwise known as EVLT, is a minimally-invasive alternative treatment for varicose veins. When you choose EVLT, you are choosing a safe, effective, fast procedure that restores your legs to their original state and improves your quality of life. We will perform this procedure right in our office. It won’t even cost an hour of your time.

In the past, patients relied on ligation and stripping to cure varicose veins. In fact, it was considered the only option for varicose vein treatment. However, these procedures were considered invasive and required general anesthesia. As the procedure involves physically grabbing the affected vein or veins and removing them fully from the body, many patients reported high levels of discomfort and pain for a period of time after treatment, as well as a recovery period of up to two weeks.

Procedure

To perform this procedure, we identify the affected vein and use an antiseptic ointment to prep the area. We then apply a local anesthetic to reduce the pain you may experience. We insert the laser probe into the vein via a small needle and use ultrasound imaging to determine the nature of the problem and where to position the laser.

Once this process is complete, we fire the laser through the vein. This causes damage to the walls of the vein, so they shrink down and close off, eliminating blood flow. The blood is then diverted into normal veins, which can increase circulation and relieve your symptoms. We then remove the probe and apply a small dressing with compression bandages. This entire process is done in under an hour.

What to Expect

When you leave our office, you may experience a tight feeling in your legs, along with some mild bruising. These symptoms are normal and should disappear within a few days. You will be able to go home right away and even return to work and other typical activities immediately. However, avoid heavy lifting and intense exercise for a period of time.

You will see results from your EVLT procedure right away. In addition, as much as 98 percent of patients experience positive results from EVLT for up to five years. This satisfaction rate is significantly higher than alternative treatment options, making EVLT one of the most effective treatments for varicose veins.

What Are the Risks?

Like all other medical procedures, EVLT does come with some risks. Although the treatment is relatively safe, you may experience side effects, such as:

• Pulling sensation
• Numbness
• Deep venous thrombosis
• Phlebitis
• Infection
• Procedure failure

We will go over your potential risks before we perform the procedure.