This minimally invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using imaging guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter, about the size of a strand of spaghetti, into the vein and guides it up to the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed.

Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg.

After the procedure, a compression stocking should be applied that cannot be removed except on your follow-up visits. Cast protectors can be purchased to cover the stocking and allow you to shower. No limitations are placed on normal activities with your stocking in place. On occasion, temporary skin pigmentation changes may occur following sclerotherapy. Limited sun exposure or use of 30 SPF sunscreen is advised until this staining resolves.

The treatment takes less then an hour and provides immediate relief of symptoms. You can return to normal activity immediately with little or no pain. There may be minor soreness or bruising, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. There is no scar, because the procedure does not require a surgical incision, just a nick in the skin, about the size of a pencil tip.

The two-year data show 93 to 95 percent success rate. This is a much higher efficacy rate than surgical ligation or stripping.

Generally, laser can only be used on veins of very limited diameter. Varicose veins can not be treated by laser at all. Injection sclerotherapy of incompetent reticular(feeder) veins is preferred before laser is used to treat spider veins. Sclerotherapy is a more effective and less costly method of treatment of unsightly leg veins in most cases. Laser will not replace sclerotherapy for a foreseeable future.

A few. We request that patients limit activities that require contraction of the abdominal muscles because that causes an increase in venous pressure in the legs for 7-10 days. Such activities include jogging, heavy lifting, sit-ups, crunches and excessive stair climbing. Since we want the treated vein to close, we want to subject it to as little pressure as possible till it has a chance to heal. Walking is encouraged. You'll be back to your more strenuous activities in ten days to two weeks.

In most cases, yes. Also, remember, there are no separate hospital or anesthesiologist charges to pay because these procedures are done in our office. One of our services is to obtain pre-certification from your insurance company. Usually no, because they consider sclerotherapy to be a cosmetic procedure (ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy can often be an exception to this rule).

This is a procedure done at the surgery center to help control or stop abnormal bleeding or heavy periods. It is a painless and quick procedure done while you are asleep for 15 minutes. You can go home in 1 - 2 hours after the procedure and resume normal activity the next day. You cannot attempt pregnancy after this procedure is done. This is a simple option to alleviate abnormal bleeding and/or heavy periods without needing a hysterectomy!

Laser therapy is a proven treatment for treating unsightly broken and dilated vessels as well as other unwanted vascular lesions, such as rosacea, port wine stains and other vascular birthmarks. In fact, the latest advances in laser technology have given us a method for removal that is safer, faster and more effective than any previous treatment.

Just about anyone. Heredity plays the biggest role. 10% of men and 50% of women totaling over 80 million Americans are affected. As might be expected, any condition that puts strain on flow of blood from the legs toward the heart can aggravate the condition. This includes, but is not limited to pregnancy, standing for long periods, obesity, and extended sitting. For each individual, it is important to accurately identify the cause of their particular situation.

Nearly all patients can be treated to eliminate the unsightly veins. The best method and best solution is chosen for each patient, depending upon the vein appearance and location and upon the relative skin color of the patient.

The INVISION Vein & Laser Center is part of a vast network of expertise that includes the INVISION/Sally Jobe Breast Centers, INVISION imaging centers, and radiology services at some of Denver’s largest hospitals (Swedish, Littleton Adventist, Porter Adventist, Sky Ridge, Medical Center of Aurora, and The Children’s Hospital) All INVISION radiologists are certified by the American Board of Radiology and are fellowship-trained in their specialty.

Sclerotherapy of spider veins is a relatively simple procedure that requires no anesthesia, so it will be performed in an outpatient setting, most likely your doctor's office.

with any medical procedure there are those individuals who may not be fit to undergo certain vein treatments. Before deciding on any treatment options, make sure that you consult with your vein specialist in order to make sure that all potential issues have been raised. Patients should generally consider treatment when the veins are bothering them enough because of cosmetic concern, symptoms or complications due to the veins. There are contraindications to treatment.

Fortunately, sclerotherapy and endovenous laser therapies have rarely been associated with any serious complications when properly performed. Common minor complications of these procedures include bruising, mild itching, tenderness and tightness in the treated leg for up to two weeks after the treatment.

Lasers work by emitting a specialized light that is passed through the skin and preferentially absorbed by its target, be it an unwanted hair, birthmark, tattoo or in this case, the hemoglobin (the red portion of blood) in the unwanted vessels. The laser causes the vein to break up and disappear. There are several lasers available that work remarkably well in treating unwanted veins.