The Key Benefits of Endovenous Laser Therapy
Some of the key differences between laser therapy and stripping for varicose veins are shown in the Table below. Endovenous laser therapy is a scar-free procedure that can be performed entirely under local anaesthetic in the majority of cases. It is applicable to nearly all patients including those with pre-existing medical conditions or medications preventing the administration of a general anaesthetic. Patients who have previously had unsuccessful varicose vein stripping can also have endovenous laser therapy.
Cosmetic outcomes from laser are far superior to stripping. Patients report minimal to no bruising, swelling or pain following the procedure. Many return to normal within a few days. The risk of the veins coming back is currently believed to be less than 7% (7 out of every 100 patients) at 4 years, far superior to the traditional stripping operation.
Stripping |
Laser Therapy |
|
Anaesthetic |
Usually general |
Local |
Applicability |
Not everyone |
Nearly everyone |
Recovery time |
Weeks |
Days |
Cosmetic outcomes |
Scars (groin and lower leg) |
No scars |
Recurrence |
50% or more at 5 years |
7% at 4 years |
Table: Main differences between endovenous laser therapy and stripping for varicose veins