Laser therapy for varicose veins

Vein stripping used to be the main method of treating varicose veins.  The main problem with stripping is post-operative pain and bruising. 

There are two new methods of treating varicose veins which are gradually replacing old stripping operations: endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (VNUS closure)

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is a technique for treating varicose veins which has the great advantage it can be done under local anaesthetic without admission to hospital.  The laser probe is passed into the abnormal vein at the knee then passed under ultrasound guidance to the faulty valve in the groin which is the root of the problem.  The laser is then used to destroy the vein internally, without any incisions and only minor bruising.  The varicose veins themselves are then removed through a series of tiny cuts around 2 mm long, or else injected at a later stage.