PROCEDURES Varicose vein ablations

What is endovenous ablation?

Varicose veins are abnormally large and twisted veins often seen in the legs. Blood typically travels from the heart into the legs through the arteries and goes back to the heart through the veins. Veins have one-way valves that push blood to return from the legs against gravity. If the valves leak, blood pools in the veins can become enlarged or varicose.

Endovenous ablation is an image-guided, minimally invasive treatment. It uses radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize (burn) and close the abnormal veins that lead to varicose veins.

We may ask you to wear protective goggles during your procedure. Our trained sedationist will dispense a sedative so you will not feel anything and feel relaxed. 

You may find a few bruises along the length of the treated vein after the procedure. This is entirely normal, and they will go away over time. We may apply a bandage to the area to aid the healing process.

Endovenous ablation generally takes less than an hour, and most people go home the same day of the procedure. You will need to wear compression socks for around a week after the procedure, and in that time, you can continue your usual activities but avoid vigorous exercise.

Follow-up care is a vital part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to go to all of your follow up appointments, and call us if you have any issues affecting your recovery. 

What to expect

Please tell us about any supplements or medications you're taking, including herbal supplements or recreational drugs.

List any allergies, especially to anaesthetic or contrast materials you may have. You will need to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners before your procedure, as these may cause complications.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You will need to remove all of your clothing and jewellery and change into a gown for the procedure.

Your surgeon will use ultrasound technology to visualize the vein. Next, a fibre or electrode is moved to the desired location within the vein through a small incision. Next, local anaesthesia is injected into the tissue around the vein to collapse the vein and act as insulation for the energy's heat. The energy heats the area and causes the vein to close. The faulty vein will shrink and "scar down."