Surgical Procedure Developed to Treat Varicose Veins

A new surgical procedure, known as light-assisted stab phlebectomy (LASP), to remove branch varicose veins has been developed at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), according to a press release.

The inventor of the new surgical LASP procedure is Dr. Peter Lawrence chief of vascular surgery at UCLA. The new technique is an outpatient procedure, requires local anesthetics, and it is a minimally invasive procedure.

More specifically, the objective of Dr. Lawrence's new procedure is to remove branch varicose veins from the thighs, calves and ankles. It has been estimated that varicose veins are present in over 40 percent of adults. Women are the most affected by this condition.

Varicose veins are cause by weak valves in the vain. This weakness does not allow the normal flow of blood through the vein resulting in blood remaining somehow blocked.

According to the press release the new LASP procedure is a combination of two previously and currently used procedure to treat varicose vein. In addition Dr, Lawrence utilizes a technique known as transillumination to help varicose vein removal. In transillumination a light source is used to help highlight the veins to be removed.

It is a really interesting procedure. For example, during LASP all light at the operating room are off. This way the doctor can see better the veins to be removed.

More specifically, the doctor makes a small incision on the skin near the vein clusters. A slim tube with a light source at its tip is placed under the skin near the veins. When lights are off in the OR the doctor can see the veins because of the light that comes from the light source placed under the skin.

In addition to the procedure developed, Dr. Lawrence has also designed all surgical material needed for the procedure. Details about the new procedure and materials can be seen at the medical journal The American Surgeon, according to the UCLA press release.