Endovenous Ablation

What is Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous ablation is a procedure that seals off an abnormally enlarged leg vein (varicose vein). This procedure uses heat from radiofrequency waves or a laser to close off the affected vein.

This procedure may be done if the vein is causing pain, swelling, sores on the skin (ulcers), or skin discoloration.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures.
• Numbness or tingling along the leg. This is uncommon, and it is usually temporary.
• Vein swelling. This is usually temporary.
• Blood clots that form in a deep vein of the leg (deep vein thrombosis,or DVT) and can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism,or PE). This is very rare.

What happens before the procedure?

• You may have blood tests to make sure that your blood can clot normally.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

• You will lie on an exam table.
• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
• Your health care provider will use an imaging tool that uses sound waves (ultrasonogram) to show images of your leg veins.
• You will be given medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• A small cut (incision) will be made near the area that will be treated. A narrow tube (catheter) will be slipped through the incision and into the vein.
• Small sensors (electrodesor laser fibers) will be passed through the catheter and into the vein.
• Radiofrequency or laser energy will be sent through the sensors to burn the vein. This seals off the vein.
• The electrodes, laser fibers, and catheter will be removed from the vein.
• A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incision.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• You may have to wear compression stockings. These stockings help to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs.
• You will be encouraged to walk around immediately after the procedure.

Care After Endovenous Ablation

These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions.

Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Bruising.
• Tenderness.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about when you should remove your dressing.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Watch for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid, blood, or pus.
• Keep the bandage (dressing) dry until your health care provider says it can be removed.

Activity

• Walk regularly as told by your health care provider. This helps with healing and helps to prevent blood clots from forming.
• Avoid strenuous exercise as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do nottake long car trips or travel by air until your health care provider has approved.
• Wear compression stockings as told by your health care provider. These stockings help to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain at the site of your incision.
• You have fluid, blood, or pus coming from your incision.

Get help right away if:

• You notice red streaks coming from the incision.
• You develop nausea or vomiting.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You develop chest pain.