Endovenous Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins (one leg)

As you may already know, varicose vein surgery aims to relieve the symptoms, pain, and discomfort associated with this condition. There are several types of procedures available, including saphenectomy, traditional surgery, and endovenous laser treatment, which is the method we will focus on throughout this page.

Endovenous laser treatment is one of the most advanced techniques for treating varicose veins. It offers significant advantages, such as being performed on an outpatient basis under local anaesthesia, allowing you to walk out of the clinic on your own and experience full improvement within a week.

This procedure involves inserting a laser fibre into the affected vein and closing it from the inside, without the need for vein removal – unlike a standard saphenectomy, which requires the physical extraction of the vein. We’ll explain the procedure step by step in more detail later on.

In the following sections, we will guide you through the entire process of treating your varicose veins with laser at Operarme, a method we know well and trust for its proven effectiveness.

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Varicose veins develop as a result of a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency, which causes poor circulation and leads to blood pooling in certain areas of the body — especially in the legs. This results in the veins becoming enlarged, visible, and often symptomatic.

If you suffer from severe varicose veins, the reasons for undergoing surgery may be obvious — the pain and heaviness can become quite difficult to cope with. However, these are not the only symptoms. 

Below are some common signs and symptoms of varicose veins, which you may already be familiar with:

• Visible veins: They typically appear behind the knee or along the inner thigh and are often among the earliest signs of the condition.
• Tired, heavy legs: Particularly noticeable when you remain still for long periods. This is due to blood pooling in the leg veins. Walking, exercising, and elevating the legs can help relieve the symptoms.
• Pain: As the vein dilates, even light contact or minor bumps can cause significant discomfort — something you may already have experienced.
• Night-time cramps: It’s common to feel cramps in the affected area during the night, which can make it difficult to sleep.
• Tingling while inactive: Long periods of sitting, such as during travel, often lead to tingling sensations in the affected areas. While not the most severe symptom, it can still be bothersome.
• Swelling in ankles and feet: This is a frequent symptom due to poor venous return. As the condition progresses, swelling can affect the entire leg. Resting and elevating the legs may help, although the issue becomes increasingly persistent over time.
• Skin discolouration: Blood leaking from affected veins can accumulate and lead to damage in the surrounding skin and tissue, causing hardening, pain, eczema, and inflammation.

Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, affecting around 1 in 4 people.

All these symptoms are associated with complications of varicose veins — though fortunately, they are not the most serious ones.

• Varicothrombosis: This refers to the formation of blood clots in the leg due to poor circulation.
• Phlebitis: A complication of varicothrombosis that may lead to deep vein thrombophlebitis, a serious condition requiring immediate treatment due to its potential risks, or superficial thrombophlebitis, which generally has a more favourable prognosis.
• Varicorrhagia: Bleeding in the affected area due to a bump or friction on the varicose vein.
• Venous ulcers: These typically appear around the ankles. In addition to causing pain, they can become infected. While they do not usually pose a threat to the leg itself, if you notice fluid leaking from the ulcer, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly.

While in many cases surgery can be postponed and symptoms managed with lifestyle changes, compression stockings, and other measures, it’s important to consider laser treatment at the right time. Delaying treatment too long may result in the need for a more invasive surgical procedure.

Once you know you have varicose veins and that they are suitable for surgical treatment — since there are different types of varicose veins depending on severity — the best next step is to book a surgical assessment consultation with a Vascular Surgery and Angiology Specialist. 

During this consultation, the specialist will evaluate your case, explain the treatment options, and help you begin the journey towards resolving the problem.

An echo-Doppler ultrasound scan is required during this consultation. This allows the specialist to precisely assess the condition of the affected veins and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

For more information about this test or to arrange an appointment, please contact our Patient Service Team.

Please note that the cost of the echo-Doppler scan must bring the scan results with you to the appointment, or pay the scan at the hospital on the day of the consultation.

If you are considering undergoing endovenous laser treatment with us — whether it’s due to our competitive pricing or the excellent feedback from previous patients — the first step is to request asurgical assessment consultation through our website.

You can do this by filling in the contact form on our website, calling us on +34 91 141 33 56, or by clicking on the image below to book directly:

Get your surgery date to eliminate your varicose veins

Request now a free consultation with our specialists in Vascular Surgery.

Make an appointment

Once you’ve requested your appointment — if you’ve done so independently — our Patient Service Team will get in touch with you to answer any questions you may have about the company or the process, as well as to confirm that the chosen date and time are convenient for you.

On the day of your consultation, you should bring the documentation specified in the confirmation emails you will receive after booking — this mainly consists of a consultation voucher.
Don’t worry — you’ll also receive a reminder the day before your appointment.

Once at the clinic, you’ll introduce yourself as a patient of Operarme, and after a brief introduction with the Vascular Specialist, the medical consultation will begin. During this appointment, the doctor will ask about your lifestyle habits and the symptoms you’re experiencing. You’ll also have the opportunity to explain your expectations from the procedure and ask any questions you may have. 

The doctor will review any test results you've brought, carry out a physical examination, and check your echo-Doppler scan results to identify any venous abnormalities relevant to the endovenous laser treatment.

If, after the consultation, you and the specialist decide to proceed with surgery, the process of arranging the endovenous laser procedure will begin. The time between the consultation and surgery is typically no more than 7 to 10 days, depending on ORs availability. Since this is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, preoperative testing is generally not required unless specifically requested by the doctor.

Following the consultation, the Operarme Patient Service Team will assist you with every step of the process and answer any remaining questions you may have.

On the scheduled day of your procedure, you’ll arrive at the hospital and present the required documents at admissions. You’ll then be escorted to a waiting area, before being taken to a pre-operative room where you’ll be given surgical clothing. 

Once changed, a member of staff will accompany you to the operating theatre, where you’ll be met by the varicose vein specialist you saw during your consultation, along with a member of the nursing team assisting with the procedure.

Once inside, the specialist will ask you to lie on the surgical table in a specific position. Then, local anaesthetic will be administered — as mentioned earlier, this is all that’s needed for this type of surgery.

You’ll be awake throughout the entire procedure, so try to relax — it will all be worth it once the process is complete.

The laser treatment begins once the anaesthetic has taken effect:

1. The surgeon will make a small incision at the top of your leg, near the groin, to access the affected vein. This incision is only a few millimetres long — just enough to insert a very fine laser fibre used to carry out the treatment.
2. Through this incision, the fibre is guided into the vein and carefully advanced to the section where the vein is enlarged and forming the varicose bulge.
3. Once the laser reaches the targeted area, the surgeon activates it. The heat from the laser causes the vein to collapse and seal shut, effectively eliminating it. Over time, the closed vein is naturally absorbed by the body. There’s no need to worry — the blood is safely rerouted through nearby healthy veins, resolving the issue and relieving your symptoms.
4. It’s worth noting that this laser is designed to work in reverse — meaning the fibre is inserted to the furthest point of the vein and then slowly withdrawn while sealing it along the way. This allows for greater precision and reduces the risk of the fibre becoming stuck.
5. Once the treatment is complete, the fibre is removed, and if necessary, a small stitch may be placed at the incision site — though in most cases, this isn’t required.
   If both legs require treatment, the procedure is performed on one leg first and then repeated on the other.

The surgery typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, although it may take a little longer depending on the severity of the condition and whether one or both legs are being treated.

After surgery

Once the procedure is over, it’s important to walk for a short while to stimulate circulation. You’ll need to continue doing this over the following days as part of your recovery.

After that, you’ll be able to go home on foot, and you should notice immediate improvement. Although we recommend taking a couple of days to rest, it’s perfectly fine to return to your normal activities straight away if needed — just check with your specialist during the consultation.

• It offers a safe and minimally invasive solution for varicose veins, requiring only a very small incision.
• Contrary to popular belief, endovenous laser treatment is effective even for severe varicose veins, making it a strong alternative to traditional vein stripping surgery.
• The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home on your own shortly after the surgery.
• It only requires local anaesthetic, so as mentioned earlier, you can return home immediately following the procedure.
• The laser’s precision targets only the affected vein walls, avoiding damage to the surrounding tissues. This increases safety and reduces potential complications.
• Returning to work is typically very quick — most people need no more than 24 to 48 hours of rest, if at all.
• Because the vein is not surgically removed, the post-operative period is much shorter and involves far less discomfort compared to conventional varicose vein surgery.

As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks involved, however rare they may be. These risks can be related either to the surgery itself or to the patient's pre-existing health conditions:

• General surgical complications: These are uncommon in this case, mainly due to the use of local anaesthetic. They are more likely in patients with pre-existing medical conditions and may include vascular accidents, kidney failure or cardiorespiratory issues. The specialist will explain these risks in more detail during your consultation.
• Specific complications of endovenous laser treatment: Although also rare, potential issues may include nerve damage causing tingling or pain, bruising that can leave residual marks, wound infection, swelling, scarring, venous thrombosis or arterial injury.

To minimise any potential risks, it is essential that the procedure is carried out by a specialist in varicose vein surgery with relevant experience and within a properly equipped operating theatre. 

This is something fully guaranteed when undergoing any procedure with Operarme. Furthermore, all surgeries arranged through Operarme include medical complication insurance, covering the cost of any unforeseen issues.

As mentioned in the section on benefits, the recovery period following this procedure is straightforward. Around two hours after the surgery, you’ll be able to walk home without any issues — in fact, walking is encouraged to help stimulate circulation.

The post-operative phase is typically very mild, with only minimal discomfort lasting for about a week, after which most patients experience full recovery. In many cases, you may even return to work within 24 to 48 hours.

Before leaving the clinic, you’ll be given a date for a follow-up appointment to ensure everything is healing as expected.

At Operarme, the price for endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins is fixed and all-inclusive, meaning it covers everything required to carry out the procedure with the highest standards of safety — fully guaranteed thanks to the hospital’s quality and the experience of our specialist team.

The total cost of the surgery for one leg is 2.690 €, and this includes:

• Operating theatre reservation and use
• Post-operative follow-up appointment
• Medical fees
• Anaesthetist fees
• Nursing team fees
• All necessary surgical materials (including bilateral laser equipment)
• Anaesthesia and recovery room reservation
• Medical complications insurance, which covers any unexpected events — though such occurrences are very rare

Please note: the Doppler ultrasound scan (Eco-Doppler) required during your surgical assessment is not included in this price and must be paid separately to the hospital, as explained in the previous sections.

If you would like more information about this procedure or how Operarme works, feel free to get in touch via our contact form, by calling at +34 91 141 33 56, or by requesting a free surgical consultation with one of our Vascular Surgery specialists using the button below.

Get your surgery date to eliminate your varicose veins

Request now a free consultation with our specialists in Vascular Surgery.

Make an appointment