The condition of varicose veins is the visible evidence of deeper problem within the venous system of the legs. The dilated, ropey veins one develops is generally caused by the back pressure of blood from the deep veins into the surface veins of the legs. The pressure usually originates from a defect or incompetence of the valves in the deep veins of the leg. The most common vein where this occurs is in the greater saphenous vein which runs from the inner aspect of the ankle up the groin area.
Endovenous ablation is a technique to close a vein with a laser catheter, therefore stopping any blood from entering the vein. Under the ultrasound the vein is accessed just below the knee through a small incision and the catheter is threaded up the vein to the groin region. Once the catheter is in place, a local anesthetic solution called tumescence is injected around the vein to keep it away from the skin, as well as to compress it. Once the tumescence is in place, the laser catheter is activated applying heat to the wall of the vein sealing it shut.
