McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) are two minimally invasive treatments used to effectively treat varicose veins, but what’s the difference?
Date posted — 29.09.24
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) are two minimally invasive treatments used to effectively treat varicose veins. Both procedures aim to close off problematic veins, preventing them from causing further symptoms and leading to their eventual absorption by the body.
RFA uses radiofrequency energy to generate heat within the vein. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small incision, and once inside, the radiofrequency energy is delivered through the catheter, causing the vein walls to heat up, collapse, and seal shut. This treatment is performed under local anaesthetic, and most patients experience little discomfort, with a quick recovery time and minimal scarring.
EVLA works on a similar principle but uses laser energy instead of radiofrequency to achieve the same result. During EVLA, a laser fibre is guided into the affected vein, and when activated, the laser’s heat damages the vein walls, causing them to collapse and close off.
Like RFA, EVLA is performed under local anaesthetic and is considered highly effective for treating varicose veins. Both RFA and EVLA offer excellent outcomes with low risk of complications, making them preferred options over more invasive surgical treatments. These procedures allow patients to resume normal activities relatively quickly, with significant improvement in both the appearance of the legs and the symptoms associated with varicose veins.
Although RFA and EVLA are very similar in terms of success rates at shutting down larger varicose veins, several studies have suggested that RFA may be associated with lower complication rates, so RFA is our preferred traditional endovenous method.
An even newer endovenous technique known as Venaseal™, however, is an exciting addition to our practice. The success rate of Venaseal™ is similar to both RFA and EVLA. However, it uses glue rather than heat to close the veins and is associated with even less discomfort.
The benefits of RFA for treating varicose veins are numerous, making it a popular choice for both patients and doctors. RFA is minimally invasive, requiring only a small incision to insert a catheter into the affected vein. This results in less pain, minimal scarring, and a quicker recovery time compared to traditional surgical methods.
The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic, reducing the risks associated with general anaesthetic. RFA is highly effective, with a success rate of over 90%, and provides long-term relief from the symptoms of varicose veins, such as pain, swelling, and leg fatigue. Additionally, patients can usually return to their normal activities within a day or two, making it a convenient option for those looking for an effective and efficient treatment.
Dr Alex Vesey is our expert consultant vascular surgeon who heads up our varicose vein team. Listen to him explain the Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) treatment.
RFA is considered better than EVLA for treating varicose veins in our practice because it’s generally a more comfortable experience and has a lower risk of complications.
RFA typically causes less post-procedural pain and bruising because it uses radiofrequency energy, which generates a gentler heat compared to the intense heat from laser energy used in EVLA. This can result in a smoother recovery with less discomfort for patients.
Additionally, RFA has a slightly lower risk of nerve damage, particularly in areas where veins are close to nerves, such as the lower leg. The procedure’s outcomes are highly successful and comparable to EVLA but with a more favourable side effect profile, making RFA a preferred option for many patients and clinicians.
Recently, we have introduced the Venaseal™ procedure. Venaseal™ is even less invasive because it avoids the use of heat altogether, which causes even less discomfort whilst still achieving excellent closure rates and long-term outcomes for patients.
If you’d like to find out if RFA is the right treatment for you, the first step is to fill out our online consultation form. From there, our team will be able to arrange an initial consultation and ultrasound scan, and we can work together to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
If you're struggling with the discomfort, swelling, or unsightly appearance of varicose veins, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) could be the solution...
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
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If you're struggling with the discomfort, swelling, or unsightly appearance of varicose veins, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) could be the solution...
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
It’s getting to that time of year again when we start to look at skin quality and undoing the effects of the summer sun. Here’s a patient we treated with laser resurfacing to combat years of sun damage to the skin.
The patient was anxious about having laser, so we gave her some light sedation for the treatment. We added a little filler to the deep folds around the mouth at the same time. She’s four months post-op and loving life.
What do you think?
What’s the difference between a deep plane facelift and a mini facelift? Here’s our facelift expert, @bramhallplasticsurgery talking about the difference. Both procedures start in a similar way, but what happens beneath the skin makes all the difference.
In a deep plane facelift, the deeper tissues are lifted, key ligaments are released, and the entire face is repositioned for a result that’s both effective and natural.
A mini lift, on the other hand, simply tightens the tissues with a few stitches — which can look less natural over time as the skin changes.
At McKeown Medical, we stopped offering mini lifts years ago because the results of a deep plane facelift are just in another league.
If you’d like to know more about the deep plane facelift, visit the link in our profile.
Are fillers over? Should you just skip them and go straight to facelift surgery? We don’t think so! Here’s why…
Did you catch us on @stvnews last night? Dr Rhona and @driainmartin joined some of our patients to speak about the importance of accessible, high-quality healthcare for women. No one should feel dismissed or unheard when it comes to their health, and we’re proud to be part of the movement pushing for better standards of care for women.
This is our 5ml protocol. It’s an excellent option for patients looking for a general refresh either at the earlier stages of the ageing process, or even further into the ageing process if you want to start gently.
Jowls are one of the most common complaints that our patients come with - and so many of you want to avoid surgery, for a variety of very personal reasons.
So just what can we do for jowls without surgery? This!!!
Thank you so much to this patient for allowing us to share the results of her volumetric facelift. The volumetric facelift involves restoring volume to areas of the face that have lost volume as part of the ageing process - typically the cheeks, chin and jawline - which can really help to rejuvenate the face, especially reducing the appearance of jowls.
The patient is over the moon with this result. What do you think?
Varicose veins and thread veins might sound similar, but they’re actually quite different. Here`s Dr Alex, our vascular surgeon explaining the difference.
Varicose veins are larger, swollen veins that sit just beneath the surface of the skin. They often appear on the legs or feet and can cause discomfort, pain or a heavy, aching sensation.
Varicose veins and thread veins might sound similar, but they’re actually quite different.
Varicose veins are larger, swollen veins that sit just beneath the surface of the skin. They often appear on the legs or feet and can cause discomfort, pain or a heavy, aching sensation.
Thread veins, sometimes called spider veins, are much smaller. They appear as red, blue or purple web-like lines on the surface of the skin and are usually painless. You’ll often see them on the legs or face.
We can treat both types of veins. If you’re not sure what’s right for you, get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk it through.
Learn more about varicose veins and how we can help at the link in our profile.
Varicose veins and thread veins might sound similar, but they’re actually quite different. Here`s Dr Alex, our vascular surgeon explaining the difference.
Varicose veins are larger, swollen veins that sit just beneath the surface of the skin. They often appear on the legs or feet and can cause discomfort, pain or a heavy, aching sensation.
Thread veins, sometimes called spider veins, are much smaller. They appear as red, blue or purple web-like lines on the surface of the skin and are usually painless. You’ll often see them on the legs or face.
We can treat both types of veins. If you’re not sure what’s right for you, get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk it through.
Heavy periods can be more than just an inconvenience. They can cause anaemia, fatigue and have a real impact on your quality of life.
In this video, Dr Iain Martin @driainmartin martin explains the different treatment options available, from iron supplements and hormone therapy to ultrasound scans to check for fibroids or polyps.
If no clear cause is found and you`re not planning any more pregnancies, we offer treatment with the NovaSure® endometrial ablation device. It is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that can significantly reduce or stop bleeding altogether.
If heavy bleeding is something you’ve been putting up with, it might be time to explore your options.
Find out more about your treatment options at the link in our profile.
Another new exciting development in aesthetic medicine! The blockbuster drug Botox now has a license for treating the ageing neck.
The treatment works by relaxing the muscle in the neck, which improves the jawline and neck. Variations of this treatment have been around for a long time on an ‘off label’ basis. I’ve always been a little underwhelmed by this, but in the trials for approval they used higher doses than we typically used in the past and managed to achieve more consistent results.
The neck is an area that has a lot of anatomical variation, so the best treatment for each individual will vary. This is probably best for people with skinnier necks. If you have a bit of excess fatty tissue, then a treatment like CoolSculpting might be best or if you have loose skin then some Halo laser might be the option.
As always the way to find the best option for your concerns is a consultation with an experienced doctor!