In 90% effect last longer-term
However there are more issues with veins which are not addressed which creates symptoms
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If the vein is completely destroyed , it will stay that way forever. Unfortunately, the EVLT doesn't always result in a complete destruction of the vein and it may initially shrink only to enlarge again later. If this happens another treatment may be necessary. A vein duplex scan done three months after the treatment should tell the treating doctor whether or not the vein is destroyed.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
When done properly, Endovenous laser treatment when used in conjunction with foam sclerotherapy and visual sclerotherapy should be permanent. By permanent, I mean that those veins that were treated should get reabsorbed permanently. However, endovenous laser treatment as a solo treatment without treating any other problematic veins around it, may or may not be permanent. Some patients that I have seen who only had the laser treatment performed, have had the treated vein reopened and they returned to square one. This is why it is extremely important to treat any vein issues in the whole leg and not just treat this spot or that spot.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The laser treatment's effects will last at least 1 month, or possibly 2 months. It is the treatment that takes the longest to completely heal from. It depends on the person and how fast their body heals. Some people can be completely healed with no soreness in 2 months, and for other people it may take 6 months.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The endovascular treatment should last forever. There is a small percentage of persons that have reoccurance, but it is small (around 6-8%). It is not possible to predict when that reoccurance will happen.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
In 98% of people, endovenous laser ablation is permanent.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The results are permanent in 90 percent of patients.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The endovenous procedure is 98 percent successful with follow up for a period greater than five years.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Endovenous ablation is superior to vein stripping for treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency and it would be rare for a vein previously treated with endovenous ablation to reopen.Endovenous closure (whether with radiofrequency energy or LASER energy) is safe, effective and minimally invasive. The most important determinants in obtaining a lasting result are, in my opinion: 1. the severity of insufficiency, 2. length of vein involved, 3. associated symptoms and 4. response to compression hose therapy. There are 5 named superficial veins which may be insufficient in each leg as well as a number of connecting veins which connect the deep veins to the superficial veins. Endovenous ablation performed on a single leaking vein this year may relieve most of the patient's symptoms, but this is not a guarantee that other veins will not become insufficient or leaky in the future. I recommend patients return if or when they develop symptoms of recurrent venous insufficiency such as varicose veins, swelling or achiness, fatigue in the legs, skin discoloration, venous bleeding rulcerations. Repeat venous insufficiency ultrasound would be performed in an effort to identify source of symptoms.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Generally permanent closure of the treated vein has good long term results.
Answered by Michael D. Ingegno, M.D.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Failure rate after endovenous laser treatment is approximately 5 percent.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
In the hands of an experienced surgeon, the results are permanent. Chronic venous insufficiency is, however, an inherited condition and in some people other veins may fail in the future. This is variable.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
EVLT should be permanent. The recurrence rate is around 3 to 5 percent. If varicose veins should recur, then a new ultrasound should be done to see if there is either a new or old source for the veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If done correctly, forever. One warning though, follow-up ultrasound to detect refluxing tributary branches must be done at intervals, and they must be injected to close them, so they do not reopen the lasered vein.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If the procedure was successful, the effect should last for good. However, be advised that some patients have abnormal vein circulation from other veins, not just the one treated with EVLT, and might develop problems from those veins (i.e. pains, edemas, varicose veins, restless legs, etc.)
Published on Jul 11, 2012