|
Endoluminal Laser Ablation (ELAS, LASE, ELT) uses laser energy to "weld" an incompetent, or refluxing, vein closed so that the offending backflow of blood back down the leg (the wrong way) is stopped. This results in a decrease in the back-pressure being exerted on the lower veins which causes those veins to overfill with blood, leading to the bulging, pain, and fatigue associated with large varicose vein disease.
The laser procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia and requires 30-45 minutes from start to finish. There is minimal discomfort and the patient is up and around the same day.
The laser procedure is so easily tolerated by the patient and so effective in treating the incompetent veins that it has replaced "stripping" as the standard of care for varicose veins.
Dr. McMullen has an extensive experience performing the laser procedure, and he is on the teaching faculty for Dornier MedTech. He las lectured hundreds of physicians on the laser procedure and provides proctoring and on-site teaching for physicians wishing to perfect their technique.
|
