SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Mar 05, 2001 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Doctors said Monday they can perform "Band-Aid" surgical procedures in which lasers -- activated from inside blood vessels -- can eliminate unsightly and often unhealthy varicose veins.

"Other lasers have been used to treat spider veins on the face and the legs," said Dr. Robert Min, associate professor of radiology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, "but this is the first time laser energy has been used inside the vein to heat the source of the problem and close it off."

Min reported his work at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology in San Antonio, Texas. Min and a few colleagues in the United States and the rest of the world have performed about 200 of the procedures. Doctors make a small incision behind the knee to gain access to the saphenous vein because that vein's branches near the skin's surface can become twisted, swollen and unsightly.

They also can become ulcerated and cause serious health problems. Patients are fully awake during the procedure; a local anesthetic numbs the leg during the operation.

Once inside the vein, a catheter with a laser tip is threaded through the blood vessel, guided by ultrasound and a red tip which can be seen through the skin, Min said. When the laser-catheter reaches the point where the vein has stopped functioning correctly, the doctor activates it.

"The idea is to cause damage to the wall of the blood vessel," Min explained. "That causes the blood vessel to be sealed off and, over time, begin to shrink."

Min said problems such as a feeling of heaviness in the leg as well as fatigue and other symptoms resolve rapidly. And, as the blood vessel shrinks over time, there is a cosmetic enhancement as well.

"Varicose veins are incredibly common," said Dr. Steven Zimmet, a physician in Austin, Texas, who specializes in vascular medicine of the legs. He said that as many as 20 percent of adults have varicose veins that could require treatment. He estimated that more than two million Americans have legs ulcers -- a severe complication of varicose vein -- that would also benefit from the laser treatment.

"Varicose veins are a really significant medical condition," Said Zimmet, who has also performed several of the procedures pioneered by Min. Min said the procedure, which costs about $2,000 per leg, is far less costly than surgery to strip away the veins, and compares well with other procedures that often have to be repeated because the veins re-open. In some cases, Min said, insurers will pay for the procedures, but many of his patients are willing to pay for the operation out of their own pockets.

The procedure is called an EndoVascular Laser Treatment. Min performs the operation with a laser manufactured by Diomed of Andover, Mass. He said the company would be aware of where lasers have been sold and where the procedure is available in the United States and worldwide. In 100 procedures, Min said he had complete success in closing off the vein in the first attempt in 97 cases. The three other cases were sealed off in a repeat procedure.

ssels-can eliminate unsightly and often unhealthy varicose veins.

"Other lasers have been used to treat spider veins on the face and the legs," said Dr. Robert Min, associate professor of radiology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, "but this is the first time laser energy has been used inside the vein to heat the source of the problem and close it off."

Min reported his work at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology in San Antonio, Texas. Min and a few colleagues in the United States and the rest of the world have performed about 200 of the procedures. Doctors make a small incision behind the knee to gain access to the saphenous vein because that vein's branches near the skin's surface can become twisted, swollen and unsightly. They also can become ulcerated and cause serious health problems. Patients are fully awake during the procedure; a local anesthetic numbs the leg during the operation.

Once inside the vein, a catheter with a laser tip is threaded through the blood vessel, guided by ultrasound and a red tip which can be seen through the skin, Min said. When the laser-catheter reaches the point where the vein has stopped functioning correctly, the doctor activates it.

"The idea is to cause damage to the wall of the blood vessel," Min explained. "That causes the blood vessel to be sealed off and, over time, begin to shrink."

Min said problems such as a feeling of heaviness in the leg as well as fatigue and other symptoms resolve rapidly. And, as the blood vessel shrinks over time, there is a cosmetic enhancement as well.

"Varicose veins are incredibly common," said Dr. Steven Zimmet, a physician in Austin, Texas, who specializes in vascular medicine of the legs. He said that as many as 20 percent of adults have varicose veins that could require treatment. He estimated that more than two million Americans have legs ulcers-a severe complication of varicose vein-that would also benefit from the laser treatment.

"Varicose veins are a really significant medical condition," Said Zimmet, who has also performed several of the procedures pioneered by Min. Min said the procedure, which costs about $2,000 per leg, is far less costly than surgery to strip away the veins, and compares well with other procedures that often have to be repeated because the veins re-open. In some cases, Min said, insurers will pay for the procedures, but many of his patients are willing to pay for the operation out of their own pockets.

The procedure is called an EndoVascular Laser Treatment. Min performs the operation with a laser manufactured by Diomed of Andover, Mass. He said the company would be aware of where lasers have been sold and where the procedure is available in the United States and worldwide. In 100 procedures, Min said he had complete success in closing off the vein in the first attempt in 97 cases. The three other cases were sealed off in a repeat procedure.

By ED SUSMAN, UPI Science News

Copyright 2001 by United Press International.

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