Not widely at this time. Mr Chaloner and Mr Sweeney do offer EVLT on the NHS at Lewisham Hospital where they treat approximately 25 patients per month

EVLT is a minimally invasive way of treating varicose veins. Instead of making a cut in the groin and stripping the vein from the thigh, the surgeon uses a fine laser fibre to zap the vein from the inside.

EVLT is less painful than open surgery and people return to work faster than after open surgery. There is less bruising and there are no incisions in the top of the leg. EVLT can also be done under local anaesthetic without the patient being put to sleep.

Remarkably painless. Most patients find they need to take painkillers for a few days only. Sometimes patients can feel the treated vein as a tender cord in the thigh after the operation, but this feeling goes away within a couple of weeks.

Remarkably few. The commonest complication is a vein irritation that lasts a couple of weeks, but very few patients get this.

Not at present, though it is hoped that the NHS will adopt the Buteyko Method as frontline management for asthma in the future.

The Department of Health has stated that there are neither plans nor the resources to make laser eye treatment available on the NHS. It is also unlikely that those with private health insurance would reclaim their fees.

Crowns are provided under the NHS if there is a clinical need. However, tooth-coloured crowns are not available on back biting teeth. If you would like to have a crown for cosmetic reasons and you do not have a clinical need, a dentist will be able to carry out the procedure privately. It is advisable to get a written estimate and treatment plan before beginning your dental treatment.

No, not yet. It has not yet been approved by NICE, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. There is concern that widespread use of this drug on the NHS will cost more money than the NHS can reasonably be expected to fund.

Not much. Lasers that can close the saphenous vein are diode lasers that fall in the narrow ranges 810 to 980nM of the infrared electromagnetic spectrum. Each company that has developed a laser for this purpose has tacked its own acronym on the procedure. From what I can tell, they all work about the same. The only difference comes when you take the same laser and aim it at spiders and other tiny veins.

The vein is identified just above the knee and the entire leg area is cleaned with an anti septic ointment. The entire procedure is performed with ultrasound visualization of the vein. A small amount of local anesthetic is applied and a needle is place in the vein. Through this vein is inserted a small laser probe. The probe is then identified with Ultrasound to verify its position and then the laser is slowly heated with low energy.

The procedure leaves no scars, is associated with minimal postoperative pain, a rapid recovery period and provides almost immediate relief from symptoms. Minor soreness and bruising can be treated with over-the-counter, pain medication. After the procedure, all patients are encouraged to walk and resume their normal activities. A follow up appointment is made with the doctor in 1-2 weeks.

All data indicate that EVLT is a safe and effective procedure. The procedure does not involve any incisions and is relatively painless and has minimal complications.

The technique does not treat spider veins nor does it treat veins in the lower leg. Today, with an increased emphasis of preserving the veins for future use for either coronary artery bypass or some vascular procedure, EVLT completely destroys the vein and makes it unusable for future use.

Rarely. The vast majority of patients go home on the same day as the treatment with bandages on the legs and painkillers

Theoretically anyone can get a DVT after any surgical procedure. However, the risk of DVT after EVLT is very low (less than 1 in 400).

Latest studies suggest the average time off work is 3 days after EVLT – compared with 12 days after open varicose vein surgery.

This varies a bit between patients – generally speaking it is advisable to avoid heavy exercise for a week or two while the healing process takes place. You are unlikely to harm yourself if you exercise sooner, but it might hurt a bit! Yes. In fact the latest studies suggest it works better as far as recurrence of the veins is concerned.