What is EVLT? How is It Performed?

Endo-venous laser treatment, which is also referred to as EVLT, is a procedure that was developed by phlebotomists. This treatment involves inserting a catheter into the vein. After the catheter has been inserted, the phlebotomist will place a laser fiber inside of the catheter. This laser fiber emits a type of radial energy that causes the veins to shrink. The phlebotomist will insert a local anesthetic in the area that is to be treated prior to performing the EVLT.

Why choose EVLT over other procedures?

The phlebotomist will only need to make small incisions, so the risk of complications is much lower than other procedures. The vast majority of patients also notice the results of this procedure immediately.

How long will I need to recover after this procedure?

Because EVLT is minimally invasive, the patient will be able to leave the clinic as soon as this procedure has been completed. Patients can also resume to their normal activities after leaving the clinic.
However, phlebotomists recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a few days after this treatment. Additionally, patients will also be required to wear a compression bandage during the day and walk for at least 10 minutes every day for two weeks after surgery.

Who is considered a good candidate for EVLT?

The ideal candidate for EVLT is someone who is good health. People who are interested in getting this procedure done should make sure that they consult with their physician. Patients who are experiencing discomfort due to their varicose veins may also be considered good candidates for this procedure.

The most common causes of spider veins are age, obesity and hormonal fluctuations. The veins become weak over time, resulting in an increase of spider veins as we get older. Obesity puts unnecessary demand on the venous system, increasing the pressure on the veins, leading to an early weakening of the entire system. In addition to the weakening of the veins, age and obesity are usually connected to less physical activity. This causes less circulation and muscle strength. Both of these support the venous system and keep it strong. Hormonal fluctuations are believed to relax the vein walls, allowing for blood to pool. Factors, such as pregnancy and menopause, are causes for a significant percentage of spider veins. This explains the majority of those suffering from spider veins are women.

Additional causes of spider veins are genetics and employment. A family history for spider veins can indicate a future issue. Jobs that require long hours of sitting or standing may also lead to multiple spider veins. Since most spider veins are found on the legs, it is important to keep them moving. Those that stand for long periods of time should keep their feet up when resting. People that sit for hours at a desk should take breaks often to walk around and improve circulation.

Knowing what causes spider veins and paying attention to the factors that specifically apply to you can be powerful allies in fighting off these cosmetic frustrations. Some factors, such as hormone changes and age, are unavoidable. Good physical health helps the body fight against these inescapable weaknesses and slow down the appearance of spider veins.

This type of varicose vein treatment is preferred over other treatment methods because the salt solution injected into problem veins actually prevents recurrence of varicose veins by closing “feeder veins” that generate spider veins. Larger veins are also effectively treated with sclerotherapy by employing “microfoam sclerosants” and ultrasound assistance instead of a standard sclerosing solution. Also non-invasive, this microfoam treatment is frequently followed by additional ultrasound scans to ensure treated veins have been properly sealed and that any untreated veins are identified and subsequently treated.

Following sclerotherapy treatment, patients are advised to wear bandages or support stockings and engage in moderate exercise, such as walking, for at least two weeks. Further, doctors recommend avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs, hot baths, sitting in saunas or whirlpools or exposure to sunlight for at least 48 hours after treatment. To keep infection from affecting the injection sites, washing with mild soap and cool water is suggested as well.

Minor side affects of sclerotherapy include itching, slightly raised areas at and around the injection sites and possibly some bruising. Several sclerotherapy sessions may be required to attain optimal results, with each session generally consisting of five to 40 injections. The number of treatments needed to eliminate varicose veins will depend on the severity of the case. Sclerotherapy has proven to successfully remove unattractive varicose veins over 95 percent of the time.

Not only are varicose veins unsightly, they also cause leg pain and swelling. By taking advantage of sclerotherapy, patients can easily and painlessly alleviate chronic leg achiness as well as the unpleasant appearance of varicose veins.

Unsightly varicose veins in hands and other parts of the body can occur for several reasons.

1) Age – Hand veins may become more noticeable as one ages, and appear more pronounced in warm to hot climates. When the body ages, the layer of fat surrounding the vein begins to thin out, making the veins more visible. Since heat causes the veins to dilate, the veins appear larger in warmer environments and may bulge out through the skin.
2) Valve failure – Veins transport blood from the periphery back to the heart. In order to do this effectively, veins contain one-way valves that prevent blood from travelling back toward the periphery. When the valves fail, blood begins to pool. This causes the vein to swell and become more visible. Since our hands, among other parts of our bodies, naturally hang down lower than the heart, the hands are a very common location for blood pooling to occur.
3) Other causes – While still not entirely understood, varicose veins are commonly found in pregnant women and those who stand for long periods of time.

Treatments for unsightly hand veins

Surgical removal of the hand veins, or phlebectomy, is the most effective treatment. This procedure involves making several small incisions (about 1/8th of an inch in length) and physically removing the vein at various points along the marked area. The incision is small enough that a single suture can be used to completely heal the wound within a few weeks.

Sclerotherapy is another option for removing hand veins. It involves a series of injections into the vein that cause the vein to collapse. The vein is then absorbed by the body within weeks. Sclerotherapy is a simple, painless process that can effectively restore a hand’s beauty.

Adverse effects are rare for both procedures, and most patients experience little to no postoperative pain other than mild swelling at the sites during the first few days.

Most often recommended for patients who suffer from painful varicose veins that protrude from the surface of the lower extremities, the ambulatory phlebectomy procedure uses micro-extraction hooks to remove veins through a very small incision. After successful removal, patients are fitted with a compression bandage that is worn for two weeks – helping to minimize swelling, discomfort, and allow for proper healing.

The vast majority of ambulatory phlebectomy procedures are carried out in conjunction with EVLT for maximum aesthetic results, but patients can also benefit from it as a standalone procedure. Patients who opt for this treatment option minimize their risks of intra-arterial injection, skin necrosis, and residual skin darkening.

At Varicose to Perfect, we want to help you live a richer, fuller life – one that is not hindered by problematic veins. To learn more about ambulatory phlebectomy, contact us today.

There is a variety of treatment options on the market for removing the appearance of veins on the hand. The most common form of treatment is having injections into the hand. However, this is not the most effective treatment. Phlebectomy is the most effective method of ridding your hands of this natural flaw. Both are simple, quick, and nearly painless. They can also be completed in a single visit to the doctor’s office and do not require anesthetic that would take time out of your life.

A phlebectomy is an outpatient procedure that is performed by removing the superficial veins from the hands. Small, slit-like incisions are made in the skin. First, the veins that need to be treated are outlined. Second, a local anesthesia is injected into the skin. This will numb the hand, but the patient does not have to be put out. Third, the bulging veins are removed in segments through the small incisions. Finally, the patient wears compression gloves for a short amount of time after the surgery for health and safety.

If you are considering having a treatment performed to rid your hands of bulging veins that have become noticeable due to age, it is important to consult a professional. Ask your doctor if you are healthy enough for this procedure, and talk to an expert in phlebectomy to have any and all of your questions regarding the procedure answered. It is not too late to regain that youthful look.

At Varicose to Perfect a thorough ultrasound is performed on every patient to properly diagnose our patients and prove medical necessity. As a result, we can provide our patients with best comprehensive, non-surgical treatments including state-of-the art Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT), Hook Phlebectomy, and Sclerotherapy Injections for varicose veins.  With today’s favorable insurance coverage, treatment has never been more accessible!

Call our office today to schedule your free evaluation with Dr. Sukir Sinnathamby, 937.748.8905.

Spider veins look like webs of blood just under the skin’s surface. They are small veins filled with pooled blood caused by malfunctioning valves in the vein. The valves in the vein keep blood going upward, back to the heart. These valves are constantly battling the force of gravity and physical issues, making their job very difficult. Over time the valves weaken and the result is a back flow of blood in small branches.

The most common causes of spider veins are age, obesity and hormonal fluctuations. The veins become weak over time, resulting in an increase of spider veins as we get older. Obesity puts unnecessary demand on the venous system, increasing the pressure on the veins, leading to an early weakening of the entire system. In addition to the weakening of the veins, age and obesity are usually connected to less physical activity. This causes less circulation and muscle strength. Both of these support the venous system and keep it strong. Hormonal fluctuations are believed to relax the vein walls, allowing for blood to pool. Factors, such as pregnancy and menopause, are causes for a significant percentage of spider veins. This explains the majority of those suffering from spider veins are women.

Additional causes of spider veins are genetics and employment. A family history for spider veins can indicate a future issue. Jobs that require long hours of sitting or standing may also lead to multiple spider veins. Since most spider veins are found on the legs, it is important to keep them moving. Those that stand for long periods of time should keep their feet up when resting. People that sit for hours at a desk should take breaks often to walk around and improve circulation.

Knowing what causes spider veins and paying attention to the factors that specifically apply to you can be powerful allies in fighting off these cosmetic frustrations. Some factors, such as hormone changes and age, are unavoidable. Good physical health helps the body fight against these inescapable weaknesses and slow down the appearance of spider veins.

Some people are at a higher risk for varicose veins than others. Increased risk factors of varicose veins include:
–Genetics. A family history of varicose veins increases the risk.
–Obesity. Individuals who are overweight are at greater risk for varicose veins because of the increased pressure caused by the extra weight.
–Occupations that involve lengthy periods of standing. Standing for extended periods of time increases the risk for two reasons. First, it increases the pressure on the lower extremities. Secondly, it increases the amount of time that the valves have to work to overcome the gravity that causes the pooling of blood in the vens.
–Pregnancy. Pregnancy causes greater risk factors because the volume of blood in the body increases and because it decreases the flow of blood from the legs to the pelvis.

Symptoms of varicose veins include: bulging and twisted veins visible below the skin, dark purple or blue veins, achy legs, and muscle cramping. Complications include blood clots and ulcers caused by long term build up of fluid around the problem area. Patients may seek treatment simply for cosmetic reasons in an effort to remove the unsightly blemishes. They may also seek treatment when they are unable to self-manage the condition through exercise, elevation of the legs, or treatment with compression stockings. Varicose veins can often be treated through minimally invasive surgical and laser procedures.

Many endure the discomfort and humiliation of unsightly veins, unaware that successful, comfortable, minimally invasive treatment options are available.

Varicose and spider veins do not go away without treatment, so seeking medical attention is imperative.

“Venous disease is greatly underdiagnosed,” says Sukir Sinnathamby, MD.  “People should not accept swollen, tired legs as part of aging when help is available through state-of-the-art outpatient procedures with minimal risk. My patients are awake during treatment- eating, drinking, relaxing, and even watching movies. In most cases they are walking out the door twenty minutes later”.

Endovascular medicine has seen significant advancements. At Varicose to Perfect, Dr. Sinnathamby begins with a careful evaluation and ultrasound mapping of the veins of his patient’s legs. Dr. Sinnathambys’ decades of experience in vascular medicine allow him to more accurately assess venous disease by looking for the underlying cause of the unsightly veins on the surface of the leg.  “At our vascular lab, patients can feel confident they will receive a full health evaluation, “assures Dr. Sinnathamby.

He then recommends the best treatment plan, which may include endovascular (within the vein) laser procedures, micro-incision ambulatory phlebectomy, or the precision of enhanced injection therapy (schlerotherapy). The result is legs that look and feel healthy again.

*As seen in Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and Woman’s Day