Minimally invasive varicose vein treatment
Varicose vein laser treatment: Modern and minimally invasive
Endovenous laser therapy is an established, modern and minimally invasive procedure that is ideal for treating varicose veins. In many cases, it can replace or avoid a stripping operation. In this procedure, a laser catheter is inserted into the diseased vein without any incisions and the vein is then closed with a 1470 nm laser.
As with any medical procedure, risks and complications can occur for the treatment of uncomplicated disease of the large or small rose vein. It goes without saying that a personal consultation will be held before the procedure.
Quick Facts
- Duration of intervention
- approx. 30-60 min
- Anesthesia
- local anesthesia
- Type of operation
- outpatient
- Clinic
- Preliminary investigation at all locations Implementation: Wiesbaden, Mainz
- Aftercare
- In many cases, compression stockings are only necessary for a short time
- Sport
- 2-3 weeks
- Socially acceptable
- directly after surgery
- Workable
- 1-7 days
Who is endovenous laser therapy suitable for?
Endovenous laser therapy is suitable for many patients with varicose veins, especially those with a diseased trunk vein (small or large rose vein). However, other diseased veins that are not too tortuous and lie slightly deeper under the skin can also be treated with this minimally invasive method. It is a particularly gentle procedure for treating internal varicose veins, in which the vein is thermally closed from the inside.
In contrast to conventional stripping surgery, general anesthesia is not required in many cases. Only a local anesthetic is applied along the vein with several needle pricks. It is often possible to return to everyday life a few days after the treatment.
How does endovenous laser therapy work?
After a small local anaesthetic at the lower end of the vein to be treated, a laser catheter is inserted into the vein under ultrasound guidance and pushed to the beginning of the vein. Once the catheter has been placed precisely in the right place, a further local anaesthetic is applied along the vein. Finally, the laser catheter is slowly withdrawn into the vein under ultrasound guidance and the vein is simultaneously closed with laser energy. Finally, a small plaster bandage is applied to the puncture site and the compression stocking is put on.
Endovenous laser therapy: a proven procedure
Endovenous laser therapy is a procedure that has been tried and tested in many studies and has proven to be safe to use with good treatment results. The procedure has been around for more than 20 years and is used in numerous centers worldwide.
Sources:
1) European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2022 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Venous Disease of the Lower Limbs. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg (2022) Volume 63, ISSUE 2, P184-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2021.12.024
The advantages of endovenous laser therapy at a glance
Compared to classic stripping surgery, patients recover much faster after endovenous laser therapy, bruising and possible pain are less pronounced and no incisions are required. General anesthesia is also not required in most cases. In many cases, wearing a compression stocking for a week is sufficient.
Risks and disadvantages of endovenous laser therapy
Side effects are minor and rare. In around 3 % of cases, the truncal vein may reopen. Rarely, there is a loss of sensation in the skin, which disappears after a while. You will be informed in detail about the benefits and risks of the procedure in a personal consultation.
Will my insurance cover the costs?
More than 80 statutory health insurance companies cover the costs as part of a special care contract, but not all of them. Therefore, please contact your health insurance company or simply ask us whether we can settle this procedure with your health insurance company. Private health insurers usually cover the costs without any problems. If you have statutory health insurance and would like to cover the costs yourself, you should expect costs of around EUR 1400 depending on the findings and the veins to be treated.
Frequently asked questions about endovenous laser therapy
More than eighty health insurance companies cover laser or radio wave therapy via a special contract (Micado, Medicalnetworks, IVM plus, Rebeca, Medscore), which they have concluded with us via a contracting company. We will be happy to tell you on request whether your health insurance company is one of them and has such a contract.
Other health insurance companies also cover this therapy on application. Some health insurance companies, including large ones, do not cover the costs. However, if your health insurance does not cover the costs, you have the option of having this procedure carried out as a self-payer. Private health insurance companies usually cover the costs without any problems.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. After laser therapy, it is usually sufficient to wear a compression stocking for a week during the day. The short duration of the stockings is one of the advantages of this method. A compression bandage is usually applied during the procedure and remains on the leg until the follow-up check on the first day. The patient then switches to stockings.
Moderate exercise such as short walks are possible and beneficial the day after the procedure. How long you should take a break from sport depends on the extent of the procedure and the type of sport. In general, you are not doing anything wrong if you take three weeks off. In the case of minimally invasive procedures such as laser surgery, less strenuous sports such as golf may be possible earlier. On the other hand, it may make sense to extend your break for more strenuous sports such as weight training. In general, it is important to listen to your own body and avoid overloading yourself when resuming sporting activities.
You may and should walk again after the procedure. You can move around at home as usual. Walks that are not too long are also recommended as long as the compression stocking is worn. Avoid anything that is strenuous or painful. It is advisable to elevate the treated leg during the first week. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods; walking and lying down are better. You should not resume fast walking or jogging for at least three weeks, but always discuss this with your doctor.
Strong heat is unfavorable after laser surgery because veins dilate and a lot of fluid is removed from the body through sweating. A lack of fluids and slow blood flow increase the risk of thrombosis. You should therefore wait at least four weeks before going to the sauna.
