What is EVLT (endovenous laser therapy)?
Endovenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional vein stripping. It utlizes a single skin puncture using local anesthesia in order to pass a laser fiber into the greater or lesser saphenous veins. It is typically performed in a doctor’s office. Instead of painful ligation and vein stripping which puts patients out of commision for days or weeks, patients return to work the next day. This is significant benefit to patients and health care providers. Endovenous obliteration of the saphenous veins, also known as endovenous ablation procedures, have allowed patients to leave the office after 45 minutes and resume their exercise routines. Patients are encouraged to walk as much as possible afterwards and elevate their legs when they are sitting down. EVLT treats venous reflux disease where blood shuttles back into the legs because vein valves are not functoning properly. By ablating (closing) the vein below the valve, blood does not reflux back into the legs. Pati
