Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
What is Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)?
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat varicose veins, typically in the legs, by using laser energy to heat and seal the affected vein (e.g., great saphenous vein), causing it to collapse and eventually be absorbed by the body. Blood is rerouted to healthier veins, improving symptoms and appearance. In India, EVLT is performed in vascular surgery or dermatology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)?
EVLT is indicated for:
- Varicose veins:
- Enlarged, twisted veins due to venous insufficiency (e.g., great saphenous vein reflux).
- Symptoms: Leg pain, swelling, heaviness, itching, or cosmetic concerns.
- Prevalence in India: 15–20% of adults; higher in women, older adults, and those with prolonged standing jobs (e.g., teachers, nurses).
- Other indications:
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): Skin changes, ulcers (5–10% of untreated cases).
- Failed conservative treatments: Compression stockings, lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss, leg elevation).
- Contraindications:
- Active deep vein thrombosis (DVT; risk of embolization).
- Inability to ambulate post-procedure (ambulation is key to recovery).
- Associated treatments:
- Pre-op: Ultrasound to map venous reflux (e.g., saphenofemoral junction incompetence).
- Post-op: Compression stockings (Class II, 20–30 mmHg) for 1–2 weeks; sclerotherapy for residual small veins.
- Timing:
- Performed in adults (average age 30–60 years); elective, scheduled based on symptom severity or cosmetic preference.
The procedure aims to relieve symptoms, improve leg appearance, and prevent complications like ulcers, with a high success rate for vein closure and symptom relief.
Why Do EVLT Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹50,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per leg:
- Procedure Complexity: Single vein (₹50,000–₹80,000); bilateral or multiple veins (₹1–1.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹80,000–₹1.5 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹30,000–₹50,000, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced vascular surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Ultrasound (₹2,000–₹5,000), compression stockings (₹2,000–₹5,000), medications (₹1,000–₹3,000).
- Insurance: Coverage varies (often considered cosmetic unless symptomatic); confirm with your provider.
Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) Procedure
- Before Procedure Evaluation:
- Assessment:
- Duplex ultrasound: Maps venous anatomy, confirms reflux (>0.5 seconds in great saphenous vein).
- Blood tests: Clotting profile (if anticoagulation history); routine tests often not needed.
- Physical exam: Assesses vein size, extent of varicosities, and skin changes.
- Preparation: No fasting; continue normal medications; wear loose clothing.
- Consent: Risks, including bruising, are explained.
- Assessment:
- Procedure Technique:
- Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT):
- Performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation (if needed), lasting 30–60 minutes per leg.
- Process:
- Ultrasound-guided access: Small needle punctures great saphenous vein (near knee or ankle).
- Catheter with laser fiber inserted; positioned just below saphenofemoral junction.
- Tumescent anesthesia: Lidocaine solution injected around vein to compress it, reduce pain, and protect surrounding tissues.
- Laser activation: Fiber delivers energy (e.g., 810–1470 nm wavelength), heating vein wall to 70–100°C, causing it to collapse.
- Fiber withdrawn slowly (2–3 mm/sec); vein seals shut; blood reroutes to deep veins.
- Closure: Small puncture site covered with a bandage; no stitches needed.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Duplex ultrasound: Guides catheter placement and confirms closure.
- Laser fiber: Delivers energy (e.g., 1470 nm preferred for less bruising).
- Tumescent pump: Injects anesthetic solution.
- Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT):
- After Procedure:
- Hospital stay: Same-day discharge (outpatient).
- Care: Wear compression stockings immediately for 1–2 weeks; walk for 10–15 minutes hourly on day 1 to prevent DVT.
- Pain management: Mild discomfort for 1–3 days; managed with painkillers (e.g., ibuprofen).
- Instructions: Avoid prolonged standing for 1–2 weeks; no heavy lifting for 1 week; monitor for swelling or redness.
Recovery After Endovenous Laser Therapy
- Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge.
- Post-Procedure Care:
- Pain: Mild discomfort or tightness for 1–3 days; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Activity: Walk immediately (10–15 min hourly on day 1); avoid strenuous activity for 1 week; resume normal activities in 2–3 days.
- Compression: Wear stockings for 1–2 weeks (daytime); reduces swelling, promotes healing.
- Appearance: Varicose veins fade over 4–12 weeks; bruising resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Symptoms: Pain, heaviness improve in 1–2 weeks; 80–90% report significant relief.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week (check healing), 1 month (assess symptom relief), and 3–6 months (ultrasound).
- Ultrasound: At 1 month to confirm vein closure; 95–98% closure rate at 1 year.
Most resume normal activities in 2–3 days; full recovery takes 1–2 weeks. Success rate: 95–98% vein closure at 1 year; 80–90% symptom relief; 5-year recurrence rate 5–10% (new veins may develop).
Risks and Complications
- Procedure Risks:
- Bruising (20–30%): Around treated vein; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Pain (10–20%): Mild burning or tightness; managed with painkillers.
- Skin burns (<1%): From laser heat; rare with tumescent anesthesia.
- Post-Procedure:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT, 0.5–1%): Clot in deep veins; minimized by walking, stockings (links to your embolectomy query).
- Numbness (2–5%): Temporary nerve irritation (e.g., saphenous nerve); resolves in 1–3 months.
- Infection (<1%): At puncture site; treated with antibiotics.
- Recurrence (5–10% at 5 years): New varicose veins; may need sclerotherapy or repeat EVLT.
- Long-Term:
- Neovascularization (2–5%): New vein growth at junction; may cause recurrence.
- Skin discoloration (1–3%): Brown staining; fades in 6–12 months.
Report fever, severe swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath (DVT/PE signs) promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for EVLT?
Varicose veins from venous insufficiency, causing pain, swelling, or cosmetic concerns.
Can I avoid EVLT?
Yes, if mild: Compression stockings, leg elevation, weight loss; EVLT needed for significant symptoms or cosmetic goals.
Is EVLT painful?
Mild discomfort for 1–3 days; managed with medication; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
How soon can I resume normal activities?
Light activities: Immediately (walking encouraged); full recovery: 1–2 weeks; avoid strenuous activity for 1 week.
Is EVLT covered by insurance in India?
Coverage varies (often considered cosmetic unless symptomatic); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat may apply for severe cases.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
How long do EVLT results last?
95–98% vein closure at 1 year; 5–10% recurrence at 5 years; new veins may form over time.
Lifestyle changes post-procedure?
Wear compression stockings, avoid prolonged standing, maintain healthy weight, exercise, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
EVLT is a safe and effective procedure for treating varicose veins, offering quick recovery and high success rates for symptom relief and cosmetic improvement. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, with variable insurance coverage. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach it confidently. Consult a vascular surgeon for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Ahmedabad |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ajmer |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Aligarh |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Allahabad |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Amritsar |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Aurangabad |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Bangalore |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bareilly |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Belgaum |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Bhopal |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Bikaner |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Chandigarh |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Chennai |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Dehradun |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Delhi |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Durgapur |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Faridabad |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Guntur |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Gurgaon |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Guwahati |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Gwalior |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Hyderabad |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Indore |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Jabalpur |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Jaipur |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Jamshedpur |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Jodhpur |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kanpur |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kochi |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Kolkata |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Kollam |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Lucknow |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Ludhiana |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Madurai |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Mangalore |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Meerut |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Moradabad |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Mumbai |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Mysore |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Nagpur |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Nashik |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Noida |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Patna |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Pune |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Raipur |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Rajkot |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Ranchi |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Surat |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Thane |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Vadodara |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Varanasi |
40,000 |
1,80,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
45,000 |
1,90,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.