Does endovenous laser ablation damage the saphenous vein?

I've heard that endovenous laser treatments actually remove or destroy the saphenous vein in the leg. Is this true, and will I still get enough blood circulation to the legs if this large vessel is removed?

Answers from doctors (6)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Mar 01, 2018

Saphenous ablation is done when the vein valves no longer function and blood is able to back flow (reflux), and is mostly going to other veins already. This often causes symptoms, varicose veins, skin changes, swelling etc. By sealing the vein the blood flow is improved in the other veins. You have a deep femoral/popliteal vein and many other veins in the legs. The long saphenous has been used for many many years for grafting for bypass surgery and we can function normally without it.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Saphenous ablation is done when the vein valves no longer function and blood is able to back flow (reflux), and is mostly going to other veins already. This often causes symptoms, varicose veins, skin changes, swelling etc. By sealing the vein the blood flow is improved in the other veins. You have a deep femoral/popliteal vein and many other veins in the legs. The long saphenous has been used for many many years for grafting for bypass surgery and we can function normally without it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Oct 10, 2010

ELA does destroy the saphenous vein by heating it and ultimately causing it to dissolve and be reabsorbed by the body. The venous blood will then be redirected into the deeper veins and pushed back to the heart as the leg muscles contract. There are many other veins in your leg to compensate for the treated saphenous vein.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

ELA does destroy the saphenous vein by heating it and ultimately causing it to dissolve and be reabsorbed by the body. The venous blood will then be redirected into the deeper veins and pushed back to the heart as the leg muscles contract. There are many other veins in your leg to compensate for the treated saphenous vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Feb 26, 2010

It will seal and make nonfunctional the vein treated, but in almost every case the other veins can easily compensate for the loss of this already disfunctional vein. A pre operative ultrasound will show the function of the other veins in the leg.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

It will seal and make nonfunctional the vein treated, but in almost every case the other veins can easily compensate for the loss of this already disfunctional vein. A pre operative ultrasound will show the function of the other veins in the leg.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa Bay

Published on Oct 19, 2009

Removing incompetent sections of the saphenous vein system will actually improve return circulation in the legs. After we remove incompetent saphenous veins, we will see skin ulcerations heal and chronic skin changes improve.

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Answered by Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa Bay

Removing incompetent sections of the saphenous vein system will actually improve return circulation in the legs. After we remove incompetent saphenous veins, we will see skin ulcerations heal and chronic skin changes improve.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Oct 16, 2009

Yes, endovenous laser ablation destroys the underlying cause of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. The saphenous vein that is leaking blood the wrong direction causes symptoms & varicose veins by causing pooling of blood. You have a network of veins in you legs and by closing down the leaking vein(s), you actually improve your venous circulation so blood can get out of your leg like it's supposed to.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Yes, endovenous laser ablation destroys the underlying cause of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. The saphenous vein that is leaking blood the wrong direction causes symptoms & varicose veins by causing pooling of blood. You have a network of veins in you legs and by closing down the leaking vein(s), you actually improve your venous circulation so blood can get out of your leg like it's supposed to.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Sep 24, 2009

Yes, endovenous laser ablation destroys the underlying cause of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. The saphenous vein that is leaking blood the wrong direction causes symptoms & varicose veins by causing pooling of blood. You have a network of veins in you legs and by closing down the leaking vein(s), you actually improve your venous circulation so blood can get out of your leg like it's supposed to.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/873_1500663762.jpg
Answered by Miller Vein

Yes, endovenous laser ablation destroys the underlying cause of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. The saphenous vein that is leaking blood the wrong direction causes symptoms & varicose veins by causing pooling of blood. You have a network of veins in you legs and by closing down the leaking vein(s), you actually improve your venous circulation so blood can get out of your leg like it's supposed to.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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