Varicose Veins

Before the treatment, the doctor will examine you physically, and also advise/carry out a colour Doppler examination. Once it is confirmed by colour Doppler that you do have varicose veins which are treatable by the laser, you will be asked to undergo some blood tests etc. to determine your fitness for the treatment. Once you are declared fit, you should be present at the clinic on the day of the treatment. You must not eat or drink anything at least 6 hours before the treatment time.

During the treatment, you will be given mild anaesthesia. You would remain semi-conscious through the treatment, but you will not experience anything beyond mild pain. A thin needle is used to puncture the vein, usually just near the knee, and a guide wire is pushed through the vein till it almost reaches the junction of the superficial vein system and the deeper vein system (this is located near the groin). The needle is removed, and a sheath is inserted over the guide wire. Then the guide wire is removed, and a laser fiber is inserted into the sheath, in place of the guide wire. The laser fiber is advanced into the sheath, till it emerges just outside the sheath. It is then locked to the sheath, and the entire assembly is removed from the affected vein, while firing the laser. This closes the vein, and also damages the vein.

After the procedure, the patient needs to stay in the clinic for a few hours, before he can be discharged.

The patient needs to come for dressing a couple of times after the procedure. The patient needs to wear compression stockings for a few weeks after the procedure. After, a month or so, a colour Doppler is taken to make sure that the desired result is achieved.

Generally speaking, the patient can resume most normal activities within 1 day of the treatment. Similarly, most patients will not need to stay in hospital, but can go back home immediately.

The above are general guidelines, which do need to be modified for individual patients.