Endolaser ELT

High-tech for your legs

No other technique has, in the last years, revolutionized the treatment of varicose veins such as Endolaser.

Laser operation without cuts into the skin

State-of-the-art laser instruments have replaced techniques practiced formerly, whereby the groin was surgically opened (crossectomy) to have the vein stripped. Frequently that resulted in haematomas and disturbances in the wound healing. Patients had to wear compression stockings for up to three months and extended convalescent periods were quite common.

But laser has been in existence for quite a while?

Endolaser should not be mistaken for “transdermal” laser, which uses laser energy introduced into the veins from outside the skin. Such transdermal laser techniques are appropriate in the treatment of smallest veins and spider-burst, yet are not a substitute for surgical treatment by crossectomy and stripping.

Principles of endolaser treatment

Basically, a laser probe is introduced, through minimal invasive access in the knee region, into the long vein inside the thigh (vena saphena magna) or the long vein in the calf (vena saphena parva). Laser light of a specific wavelength causes shrinking of the vein wall. Directly during the intervention, the surgeon is in a position to examine the success of the laser treatment by ultrasound.

General anaesthesia? ?

Endolaser intervention is still a surgical technique. The intervention should be performed under aseptic operating room conditions. General anaesthesia is not necessarily required, yet should be practiced in specific cases

Inpatient or outpatient treatment? ?

Contrary to the classic operating method (crossectomy and stripping), the endolaser allows outpatient treatment in many a case.

Endolaser or miniphlebectomy

Varicosity is in rare cases only restricted to trunk veins (vena saphena magna, vena saphena parva). In most cases, also lateral saphenous branches of the trunk veins are dilated. Such lateral saphenous branches should during the same intervention be removed by miniphlebectomy.

Surgical stockings??

Endolaser without further treatment: 7 days, during the first three of which to be worn day and night.

Endolaser treatment in combination with miniphlebectomy: 3 weeks, during the first three days of which to be worn day and night.

Troublesome, sliding bandages are gone. We use modern stockings specially developed for surgical intervention.

Endolaser treatment during cooler seasons only?

Endolaser treatment may also be performed during the warm season, as surgical stockings need not be worn as long as in case of the traditional operating methods.

Endolaser treatment and sports?

We recommend light physical activities directly following intervention.

Success rate of endolaser treatment

Long-term follow-up results show a 96% success rate

(R.J. Min, Cornell University NYC (EVLT)UIP, San Diego)