I know it's not 100% but does EVLT really work for spider veins?

Question

Red and blue spider veins. I have been told it's not 100% but if ultrasound shows mild venous insufficiency would it work to prevent future veins? I would rather not go through the procedure if it doesn't.

Tif Siragusa, MD · Answer

if the only complaint you have regarding your legs a spider veins, then you most likely don’t need an EVLT. Unless you have swelling, aching, bulging varicose veins, or pain in your leg, you most likely do not have anything to benefit from having the EVLT procedure. There are unfortunately a lot of places that do EVLT on everyone who walks in the door even if they don’t need it. I have seen a very large number of patients who have spider veins and that is their only complaint. They have been elsewhere and told they need 1 to 6 EVLT procedures to treat their spider veins. Once I repeated their alter sound I found that they did not need any EVLT procedures and they just need it to have their spider veins treated. I would seek a second opinion before I had an EVLT in the absence of any of the above.

Oliver Pope Simmons, MD, FACS · Answer

Dilated painful varicosities and smaller spider veins are often the results of significant GSV reflux.  If you, your doctor and the insurance agree that you are having significant symptoms from your GSV reflux, then they may pay for treatment to correct this.  These treatments will stop or prevent spider veins. If they are already present, consider sclerotherapy or laser treatement for them.  Since they are usually cosmetic (unless there is a wound or impending wound) their treatment is done out of pocket.

Andres Zavala, DO · Answer

Spider and varicose veins are often but not always associated with reflux in larger veins.  A proper evaluation and ultrasound can help determine this.  If there is in fact reflux, treating the large veins with EVLT makes treatment of the spider and varicose veins more successful and makes it less likely that you will develop more of them overtime.  It's important to treat the source of the problem.

Albert Malvehy, MD · Answer

EVLT is pushed by various doctors for a variety of reasons, most of them evidence-based and life changing, some of them dubious.
This falls into the dubious category. If your doctor is telling you that you should get treated (and your insurance will pay for) to avoid spider veins, run - don't walk - to get a second opinion.

Gary Nackman, MD, FACS · Answer

To answer your question, it may depend on what is "mild" venous insufficiency. The accepted standard of "abnormal" is a valve closure time of greater than 0.5 sec.  If you have mild reflux and no leg symptoms, vein closure is not indicated. There is a general feeling that treating reflux decreases varicose veins in the future but limited studies.  Red spider veins and blue reticular veins can occur in the absence of any refluxing vein valves.

Michael Nguyen, MD · Answer

Venous insufficiency happens when the valves that maintain blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart no longer function. This causes the blood to pool in the legs and one of the signs is spider veins as well as other signs and symptoms. Treating the source of the problem should diminish more spider veins to appear, but it might be necessary to target the spider veins you already have individually to see results. First thing to consider is a visit to vein specialist so specialist can examine your legs. A lower extremity venous ultrasound can confirm if an underlying venous insufficiency is causing these changes. This way the specialist can manage your care and options to treatments according to your specific goal.

Aaron Shiloh, MD · Answer

Without seeing your leg and ultrasound it is tough to say.  However, it is often necessary to treat the larger refluxing veins before doing sclerotherapy.  Otherwise, its like painting over a crack in the wall.  It may look better temporarily but the crack is still there and will likely return.

Ivan Brooks, MD · Answer

EVLT is performed for the treatment of large vein reflux.  This type of reflux can lead to multiple spider veins in the affected leg.  It is important to have a proper evaluation prior to getting sclerotherapy of smaller spider or thread veins.  Small vein treatment without treating the larger vein first can lead to a worse cosmetic appearance over a short time.

Susan Fox, DO, RPVI · Answer

It is important to treat the source or cause of the problem.  Often people see small spider veins or discolorations in their ankles which is really caused by insufficiency in larger veins further up the leg.  It is important to treat the source of the problem with get rid of the veins correctly.  That being said I would not do EVLT unless you have symptoms of leg pain, swelling or other complaints and would discuss with your physician the best treatment options and plan

Sameh Dimitri, MD · Answer

Treating the underlying vein problem is important before treating the superficial spider or thread veins. Thread veins can be treated with laser or microsclerotherapy

I know it's not 100% but does EVLT really work for spider veins?

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