Why have EVLA rather than traditional surgery for Varicose Veins?
Laser for Varicose Veins. Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is a popular minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. D. Carradice and colleagues (British Journal of Surgery vol 98; April 2011) performed a study comparing clinical effectiveness of surgery and EVLA. 280 patients were randomised into equal groups having either surgery or EVLA. All patients had primary, one sided, symptomatic varicose veins with isolated saphenofemoral junction incompetence.
Both groups had significant improvements in their Venous Clinical Severity Score, and pain scores.
Patients having conventional surgery had more pain and disability and took longer to return to work and normal activity (average 14 days) after their operation.
Patients who underwent EVLA had less pain and disability, returning to work and normal activity in an average of 4 days. Both surgery and EVLA were equally as effective methods of treatment.
Palm Clinic has performed well over 2000 EVLA cases since 2004. Nearly all patients who have veins which are sufficiently large and straight are amenable to EVLA. We find our patients are able to return to work either the same day or the next day.
Our experience is that patients are keen to avoid a general anaesthetic and like the minimally invasive technique which is a walk in/walk out procedure.
