All surgical and medical treatments present side effects, however, they are not frequent in the case of EVLT.
A moderate postoperative treatment allows most of these effects to be avoided or to diminish rapidly. The return to work occurs between 0 and 15 days after the operation, with a median of 3 to 4 days depending on case studies.
A moderate postoperative treatment allows most of these effects to be avoided or to diminish rapidly. The return to work occurs between 0 and 15 days after the operation, with a median of 3 to 4 days depending on case studies.
Side effects
During the EVLT procedure, the occurrence of slight dizziness and pain are rare and do not last long. Exceptionally vein perforation, breaking of the laser fibre or an allergic reaction to
lidocaine
can occur.The after effects of the procedure are straightforward, almost always including superficial ecchymoses (bruises) lasting from 5 to 20 days and inflammation (redness, heat and local pain).
Other described complications are very exceptional: infections, burning of the skin or tissues around the treated varicose vein, deep and superficial
Most of these complications are reversible.
phlebitis
, neurosensitive disorders, hyperpigmentation
, the appearance of spider veins
.Most of these complications are reversible.
Postoperative treatment
To reduce the risk of phlebitis, patients are prescribed
heparinotherapy
for 4 days and compression stockings for 15 days. In addition, patients are also strongly advised to walk for 1 hour a day for 15 days following the procedure.Most post-procedure inflammatory pains are of short duration (0 to 15 days) and respond favourably either to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or to analgesic such as paracetamol.
Ecchymoses disappear of their own accord without any specific treatment after 5 to 20 days.
Hyperpigmentation disappears spontaneously or with a local treatment.
Spider veins can benefit from complementary
microsclerotherapy
and from exolaser exolaser.
A Duplex scan is indispensable in order to make a proper diagnosis and to determine the appropriate therapeutic indication.
An annual Duplex scan and clinical examination is essential whatever the initial technique chosen.
Proper treatment and follow-up of varicose veins may prevent many complications, which may be irreversible.