Varicose treatment which had required a surgical operation before, now can be accomplished effectively even not requiring to stay in the hospital. Under the shade of this technology called ‘EVLT’ or ‘inter vessel laser treatment’ it is entered into the vessel with a thin catheter and the vessel with varicose is treated.

Head of Anadolu Health Center Plastic and Reconstructive Section Op.Dr.Tuğrul Kihtir gave information on the EVLT Method utilized in the treatment of the vessels having varicose.

How does the varicose form?
Varicose defined as , ‘the expansion of the veins which provide the return of blood to the heart’ is a relatively frequently seen disease. It is seen nearly in 20 % of the adults and in the above 50 of age nearly 50 % within the total mass of the adults. This disease is seen in women even more frequently. There are valvules in the veins in the legs which provide the flow of blood upstream to the heart against gravity and perform the duty of the pump. In the situation that the functions of these valvules are out of order, the pumping of blood towards the heart is disordered and blood accumulates in the veins and become the reason for their expansion and the cause of their coming into a visible state. In this condition which is called vein inefficiency of the veins which come to the state of visibility the capillary ones are defined as “telangiectasis” or “spider vessels” and the large ones as “varicose”.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA IS NOT REQUIRED

How is EVLT applied? EVLT or endovascular laser treatment, is the name given to the method of blocking of the large vessels with varicose by the help of the laser ray. This method has been developed as an alternative to the methods depending on the basis of the removal of the vessels under anesthesia surgically. In the EVLT method laser ray is applied into the vessel from one point by a catheter and the blocking of the vein is provided. EVLT is a method applied in the doctor’ office milieux and without the requirement of general anesthesia. Its ratio of success is around 97 %.

Does EVLT have risks? As the other methods EVLT has risks also. Among these can be counted purpling healing in two weeks generally, pain, itching and lessening of sensation.

What are the other methods of treatment for varicose? For the treatment of veins with varicose for may years other forms of treatment have been being utilized as well. These can be summarized as follows :

Varicose socks. Against the veins with light degree of pain, use is made of the varicose socks. These socks, by speeding up the return of blood through the veins inhibits the advancement of the disease. However, varicose veins do not heal the varicose formed.
Sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is made use of in the treatment of small vessels with varicose and the spider vessels. In this method, by the injection of various drugs into the expanded small vessels their blocking is provided.
Laser. This is the method of applying laser rays to telangiectasia and the spider veins from the skin surface. Its difference from EVLT is, laser ray is applied not inside through the vessels, but from the skin surface. It can be applied together with sclerotherapy.
Radio Frequency Therapy. In this method, it is entered into the large vessels with varicose through the help of the catheter and the blocking of the vessel is provided by the emission of high degree of heat producing radio waves.
Phlebectomy. Phlebectomy, is the method of removing them region by region of the large vessels by producing small cuts on them.
Stripping. This is as well the removal of the large vessels with varicose. In general, by the help of small cuts made in between the groin area and the foot wrist, stripper apparatus is placed in the vessel and afterwards the vessel is removed by being pulled along all through its length.