985.446.1763 info@thibodauxsurgery.com Home Specialties Board Certified Surgeons Patient Info Contact Us Laser Therapy for Varicose Veins Endovenous Laser Therapy In the last few years, the use of lasers has become an accepted alternative to surgical stripping to treat varicose veins. In endovenous laser therapy, a thin laser fiber is inserted into the diseased vein, generally through a small puncture in the leg above where the visual symptoms appear. The physician then delivers laser energy through the fiber which causes the vein to close as the fiber is gradually removed. Endovenous laser therapy can be performed in a physician’s office in less than one hour, and the patient is encouraged to walk immediately following the procedure How does endovenous laser therapy work? Previously, treatment of painful, swollen varicose veins required a surgical procedure called vein stripping, where the vein was completely removed from the leg. More recently, endovenous laser therapy has been developed to treat chronic venous insufficiency by delivering laser energy through a small puncture in the leg to close the diseased vein. With endovenous laser therapy, no surgery is required, and the entire procedure can be performed in less than one hour in your physician’s office. During the procedure, you are awake and your leg is anesthetized. A thin laser fiber is inserted into the greater saphenous vein in your thigh. Your physician then will deliver laser energy through the fiber and into the vein, causing the vein to close. Is endovenous laser therapy painful? Although individual responses vary, most people report little to no pain associated with endovenous laser therapy. Often the only sensation is felt during the delivery of anesthetic to the leg. After the procedure you may feel some tenderness, tingling, itching or tightness in the treated leg, which should disappear within a month. How successful is endovenous laser therapy? Clinical results have been published which document the success of endovenous laser treatment. Like any medical treatment, however, endovenous laser therapy has certain risks which your physician will explain to you as they apply to your individual case. Q&A Download the Endovenous Laser Therapy for Vericose Veins Q&A sheet to learn more! Download PDF What is vein disease? Veins are the blood vessels that return blood to the heart from the body. To overcome the force of gravity, inside the veins are one-way valves which open to allow blood flow to the heart, and close to prevent “reflux” of blood back to the body. When these valves fail to function, or if the vein is damaged so the valves do not completely close, blood can begin to pool in the vein and cause a variety of vein complications. What are the different types of vein disease? How do I know if I have vein disease? How common is vein disease? How does vein disease occur? Can vein disease be prevented? Specialties Surgical Weight Loss Abdominal Surgery Complete Breast Care Anti-Reflux (GERD) Surgery Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Laser Therapy for Varicose Veins Hernia Surgery - Open and MIS Cancer Surgery Endoscopy Venous Access Ano-rectal Surgery Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Thibodaux Surgical Specialists GET IN TOUCH TODAY! ABOUT TSS With a genuine interest in each patient, we are dedicated to your best care. We have carefully structured our practice to be able to provide the personal, quality care we feel you deserve. SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION