Varicose & Spider Vein Treatment Options in St. Louis

In the past people suffering from varicose veins had only one option for vein treatment, a painful procedure still performed today which involves surgical tying and stripping of the diseased veins. This surgery entails undergoing general anesthesia, making an incision in the groin, and tying off and cutting the diseased vein; the affected vein is then stripped out of the leg through an incision at the knee. Problem cured, but with side effects including tissue trauma, scarring or possible nerve damage not to mention the inherent risks of general anesthesia and post surgical infection. The recovery for vein treatment surgery is painful, and long, requiring prescription painkillers, and taking up to one week of bed rest and one week of restricted movement to heal.

NOW A BETTER CHOICE. With recent advances in technology to treat vein disease there is now a better choice for varicose vein sufferers called EVLT® (EndoVenous Laser Treatment). An innovative non-surgical procedure, EVLT® uses laser technology to seal the problem vein safely and effectively, thus eliminating the problem at its source.

EVLT® Delivers Results, Comfort & Convenience, Freedom

How is this possible? Unlike surgical stripping, EVLT® permanently closes off the vein without removing it. The physician uses a diode laser delivered by a pencil tip-size fiber-optic probe through a freckle-sized nick in the skin. The probe is guided into place using ultrasound. The procedure is performed under a local anesthetic that is similar to what dentists use to numb an area being treated.

The whole process takes about 45 minutes. The patient is able to walk out of the office with no post-operative scarring and recover over a matter of hours or days using over-the-counter pain relievers to minimize minor discomfort.

As defined by a lack of blood flow in the treated vein, EVLT® has been shown to have a success rate of 98 percent at one month follow-up, and 93.4 percent of treated greater saphenous veins remaining closed at two-year follow-up. These results are comparable or superior to those reported for other options for treatment of greater saphenous veins, including surgical ligation and stripping and alternative, minimally-invasive procedures such as injection sclerotherapy and radio frequency electrosurgery. Not all patients suffering from venous diseases will be suitable candidates for EVLT® vein treatment. Dr. Wright will be able to advise patients the best course of therapy.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy, which involves injecting an irritant chemical into the vein, is excellent for small veins (like spider veins) as a cosmetic procedure but not as effective for curing the underlying problem at the greater saphenous vein. Patients often require several sclerotherapy treatments and because the source of disease is not eliminated, often return for treatment of new varicose veins on a regular basis.

Radio Frequency Electrosurgery

uses heat generated from a radio frequency electric current to damage and close the greater saphenous vein from inside, much the way microwave ovens heat food. Radio frequency procedures can take 90 minutes to two hours to complete, double the time needed for EVLT. With EVLT, the actual vein sealing takes approximately three minutes, while the time needed during radio frequency procedures is 25-45 minutes. Radio Frequency electrosurgery is not recommended for veins larger than 12mm in diameter and may therefore not be appropriate treatment for some patients. EVLT® on the other hand has no such restrictions and limitations.

The EVLT® Procedure

EVLT® (EndoVenous Laser Treatment) is a breakthrough in the treatment of unsightly, uncomfortable varicose veins. Bloated, blue varicose veins results from valve failure in the major leg vein, known as the greater saphenous vein, causing blood to back up into the lower leg. Unlike surgical tying and stripping, EVLT® uses a diode laser fiber threaded through a small incision in the greater saphenous vein to seal the problem blood vessel safely and effectively, re-routing the flow of blood to the healthy veins and eliminating the problem. EVLT® takes about 45 minutes to perform. The patient is able to walk out and resume normal activity quickly without any lasting side effects.

The EVLT® Advantage

• An improvement in general health
• EVLT® is performed under local anesthetic
• The procedure is minimally invasive requiring a very small access point thus there is very little risk of noticeable scarring and or postoperative infection
• Total time required for treatment is less than an hour
• Rapid recovery with reduced postoperative pain
• Normal activities can be resumed as early as the next day
• Excellent clinical and aesthetic results; EVLT® has been shown to have a success rate of 98 percent at one month follow-up, and 93.4 percent at two-year follow-up*.

The Patient Benefits

• Relief from swelling, cramps and leg heaviness
• An improvement in general health
• Confidence to bare your legs again
• Able to renew activities you enjoy without physical discomfort
• Renewed energy and vigor
• Freedom from wearing uncomfortable and unfashionable compression stockings
• EVLT® cures the problem rather than just slowing its progression (compared with other treatments)
• Significant cosmetic improvements in the appearance of the leg (compared to other treatments)
• No unpleasant compression stockings needed after the first week following treatment

Compared with Surgical Stripping

• EVLT® causes much less trauma to the leg and fewer side effects
• No operative scars
• No general anesthesia or pain killers
• No hospital stay
• Much quicker recovery with less post treatment discomfort

Compared with Other Alternative Minimally Invasive Treatments

• EVLT® offers more than 94 percent of its patients lasting relief, which is comparable or superior to results from radio frequency technologies.
• Minor skin discoloration are gone after four weeks
• Reduced risk of major complications such as traumatized tissues or nerve damage
• EVLT® treats the disease at its source as opposed to transdermal lasers and sclerotherapy

Please Note: Not all patients suffering from vein disease will be suitable candidates for this treatment. Check with your doctor.