Book Now
Call Us

What is EVLA?

Endovenous laser ablation is one of the most effective minimally invasive treatments for chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Venous insufficiency is a medical condition wherein the collapse of your vein valves leads to the accumulation of blood in your leg veins and the eventual formation of spider veins and varicose veins.

Endovenous laser ablation involves channeling laser energy into the diseased vein via a catheter, making it collapse and get absorbed by the body. The accumulated blood reroutes into healthier leg veins, restoring optimal blood circulation to the heart. The entire procedure concludes within 30 minutes, following which you can resume your normal activities.

Get your vein treatment

How Does EVLA Work?

The endovenous laser ablation procedure doesn’t involve considerable preparation. Your vein doctor will determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure during your first appointment. They’ll run advanced vascular imaging tests to determine if you have chronic venous insufficiency and if you need endovenous laser ablation. On the day of the procedure, you’ll simply have to avoid caffeine and keep yourself hydrated.

During the EVLA procedure, your vein doctor will apply local anesthesia on a small part of your leg and make a small incision. The incision will serve as an entry point for a tube-like catheter that’s inserted into the diseased saphenous vein under ultrasound guidance. The hollow needle will be threaded with a wire and a sheath, which will be passed over the unhealthy vein.

Once the laser fiber is lodged in place, the vein doctor will apply tumescent anesthesia to protect the surrounding tissues from the laser energy. The laser fiber will be activated to generate laser energy, which will induce an inflammatory reaction and seal the vein closed. Over time, the diseased saphenous vein will be reabsorbed by the body.

Is EVLA Safe and Effective?

Endovenous laser ablation was pioneered in 2003 as a minimally invasive alternative to vascular surgeries. Until then, varicose veins and venous insufficiency could only be treated using varicose vein surgeries, such as vein ligation, vein stripping, and venous bypass surgery. These surgical procedures involve a considerable recovery period, hospitalization, and a relatively high risk of complications, such as deep vein thrombosis and infections.

Minimally invasive vein treatments, such as endovenous laser ablation, have nearly perfect success rates exceeding 90%. Furthermore, the EVLA procedure is performed with one small incision rather than multiple excisions, so there’s no hospitalization or post-treatment downtime. This procedure is also safer than vascular surgery with a negligible risk of complications or recurrent vein disease. Long-term studies have shown that endovenous laser ablation is extremely safe and effective.

Book an appointment
What would happen if I let my varicose veins go untreated, or if I seek treatment from an unreputable clinic? Highly trained varicose vein doctors in NYC talk about five risks of not seeking treatment for varicose veins or getting treated in the wrong place.

What are the Side Effects of EVLA?

You can avoid most of the side effects of EVLA by consulting a reliable vein doctor in California.

The following are the potential side effects of endovenous laser ablation:

  • Mild and temporary bruising
  • Mild and temporary stiffness
  • Mild and temporary soreness
  • Mild and temporary numbness
  • Recurrence of vein disease (very rare)
  • Infections (very rare)
  • Deep vein thrombosis (very rare)
Check my insurance coverage

What are the Pros and Cons of EVLA?

Pros of EVLA

  • Minimal post-treatment discomfort
  • Negligible risk of complications
  • No risk of skin discoloration
  • Immediate resumption of daily activities
  • Concludes within an hour
  • No scars and marks

Cons of EVLA

  • Performed with needles
  • More uncomfortable than radiofrequency ablation
  • You must avoid heavy exercise for a week
Not sure if you’re covered?

Try our FREE Health Insurance Coverage Checker by filling out this form:

Your information is encrypted and secure. By registering, you confirm that you accept Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Contact us

phone-icon_1

Contact Us

Please talk to our team members for more information on insurance coverage. You can talk to them directly by calling one of our vein centers in California: (858) 800-8772

phone-icon_1

Book Online

You can schedule an appointment online via our official website. We provide free insurance verification before your appointment.

phone-icon_1

Get Directions

Please follow these directions to locate our California Vein Centers.