Laser Treatment EVLT

Laser treatment (EVLT)

The radiofrequency ablation catheter uses radiofrequency energy to heat up the inside of the vein, EVLT uses laser energy to do it. The basic idea is the same as radiofrequency ablation, with the laser fibre being passed up the vein from the knee to the groin under local anaesthetic, and the vein being heated up and shrivelling away.

The main difference is that the tip of the laser fibre is much hotter than the radiofrequency ablation catheter and while this is effective at shrivelling up the vein it tends to burn little holes in it which can cause bruising and post operative pain.

Recent research suggests that while both methods are very effective at eradicating varicose veins, and are good techniques and there is not much difference between them.