“It is estimated that nowadays 20-25% of Europeans and Americans have some form of venous disease and of these 21% have varicose veins” says Mr. George Galanopoulos, Vascular Surgeon, Scientific Associate LITO continues:

“It is worth noting that venous disease includes varicose veins, varicose veins, skin lesions, edema, as well as skin ulcers. The appearance of varicose veins is favored by factors such as heredity, female sex, obesity, standing, advanced age and how many pregnancies a woman has had.”

Varicose veins

“Varicose veins make up the 2nd stage of chronic venous disease and in terms of symptoms they usually manifest with pain, a feeling of heaviness and fatigue in the legs, swelling, cramps when lying down, itching and heartburn (burning). Quite often patients feel the need to constantly move their legs to relieve themselves.

The main complications of varicose veins are thrombosis (thrombophlebitis) and bleeding (varicose bleeding). Thrombosis is a result of impaired blood circulation, where instead of there being a continuous flow of blood from the legs to the heart, the failing veins somehow “trap” the blood, so it backs up and practically pools in the legs, triggering its clotting (thrombosis).

The diagnosis of varicose veins is made clinically, while the study of the problem is carried out with a color ultrasound, where the extent and severity of the disease is assessed, while at the same time mapping is done – anatomical study and planning of the operation that will follow. The color ultrasound provides valuable information and has significantly contributed to the more effective treatment of the problem compared to earlier times,” he emphasizes.

Intravenous Laser

“The therapeutic approach has changed to a great extent in recent years and has turned towards minimally invasive treatment techniques, characterized by the minimization of suffering for the patient.

The main and most effective treatment is the intravenous laser. This is a modern technique, where through a small hole, a thin laser fiber is inserted into the affected vein (that’s why it’s called an intravenous laser) and is advanced along its entire length. This fiber, when activated, emits heat (thermal energy) from its tip, which in turn is absorbed by the vein itself. As a result of the thermal damage it suffers, it shrinks, turns into a fibrous string, while in the end it is completely absorbed by the body in a short period of time. In this way, we remove the affected vein or veins from the blood circulation, immediately restoring the normal blood circulation in the lower extremities. This is why the patient is immediately relieved of his symptoms. At the same time, we eliminate the possibility of thrombosis, which is the most frequent complication of varicose veins,” he explains.

Advantages

“The intravenous laser presents key advantages over other techniques. First of all, no general anesthesia is needed. The operation is performed with light intoxication and local anesthesia. It is safe, because it is carried out in all its stages with the help of ultrasound, which allows us to operate with millimeter precision. No surgical incisions and stitches are made, which makes it bloodless and absolutely painless. Since no incisions are made, the aesthetic result is excellent. An overnight stay at the clinic is not necessary, but a two-hour stay is sufficient. Subsequently, the patient is discharged and returns home. The next day he returns to work and his daily activities, with minimal restrictions, such as avoiding heavy lifting for a few days.

Intravenous laser, as it emerges from the now extensive international experience, is the safest and most effective technique, which provides a solution to even the most difficult and complex cases of patients, in the most painless way”, concludes Mr. Galanopoulos