Laser

EVLT® - Endoluminal Venous Laser Ablation
The EVLT® procedure is a simple and effective way to treat varicose veins. It takes less than an hour and gets patients back to their everyday activities right away. EVLT® has a success rate of up to 98% and minimal side effects.

EVLT® uses a laser fiber to destroy the diseased vein. The laser (light) is absorbed by either blood or water creating heat. The heat destroys the diseased vein. The vein is accessed using a needle, a sheath is placed over a wire into the vein, the laser fiber is threaded through the vein to the highest point of disease, tumescent fluid is injected around the laser fiber, the laser is turned on and the fiber is slowly pulled back through the vein destroying the diseased vein. No stitches are required. Compression stockings must be worn for three weeks. You go home after the procedure and you can do almost any activity as long as you are wearing the compression stocking. The procedure is performed in the office rather than in the hospital. Dr. Powell is trained and certified by EVLT® to do this procedure in addition to the radiofrequency procedure.

Laser Treatment of Superficial Veins
Various lasers are used to treat medium, small, and spider veins. The color and depth of the veins determines the type of laser used to treat the veins. Laser is the technique used when sclerotherapy is not successful. Laser cause more discomfort that sclerotherapy. Lasers work well on the red capillaries on the nose and face. They also work well on purple veins on the eyelids. It is harder to obtain good results on the legs because the veins are different colors and different depths. Lasers are sometimes combined with sclerotherapy when sclerotherapy is not working well to clear leg veins. Very tiny capillaries and veins that are so small it is next to impossible to get a needle into the vein are good candidates to laser spider vein treatments. Dr. Powell uses sclerotherapy are his primary modality for treating leg spider and small veins and uses lasers as his backup when sclerotherapy is not working well. Light is absorbed by the color of the vein, the absorbed light creates heat, and heat destroys the veins.