In our accredited office, a patient will undergo a ‘leg marking’. With ultrasound visualization, the problem vein and the important areas are drawn onto the skin making a map to use as a guide during the procedure.

The patient then has a topical numbing cream applied to the skin for one hour. This makes the injection of the local anesthetic almost painless. While waiting, the patient chooses a movie, TV show or music to watch in surround vision glasses.

In a sterile setting, the patient is placed on the table; the area is then cleaned and prepped by the doctor for the laser procedure. Local anesthesia is given under color duplex ultrasound guidance, and then a minute laser fiber is inserted directly into the vein through a catheter (tiny tube). Pulses of laser energy are released along the course of the vein to seal it completely. Endolaser (EVLA, EVLT) requires only a small nick in the skin. Once the laser has sealed the vein the fiber is removed and a steri-strip or a stitch closes the area. Patients who need a Mini-Phlebectomy treatment for the smaller branches will have it performed at the same time. When the procedure is complete the leg is wrapped with elastic bandages.

Post instructions are reviewed with the patient, then they walk out of the office and return to their normal daily routine immediately without any pain medication.