April 25, 2008, East Longmeadow, MA--Two prominent American vein specialists have announced positive outcomes using the biolitec ELVeS PL diode laser to treat patients suffering from venous reflux disease.
The ELVeS PL laser has yielded good results in more than 2000 treatments in Europe and Asia over the past two years and has recently received 510K clearance in the United States for the treatment of superficial reflux of the greater saphenous vein associated with varicose veins and varicosities.
The minimally invasive ELVeS PL (Endo Laser Vein System) endoluminal laser therapy procedure uses a 1470nm laser that has 40 times greater absorption by water, resulting in a more satisfying patient experience, according to the company. The ELVeS PL takes about 30 to 45 minutes and provides rapid relief from the symptoms associated with venous reflux disease. Using new laser technology delivered through an ELVeS application system, doctors quickly achieve photodestruction and occlusion of diseased veins with a more favorable post-operative experience by patients than with previous laser treatments.
Both physicians, who used the ELVeS PL procedure for outpatient treatment in the office environment with local anesthesia, said that their patients were able to return to work and resume normal activities immediately following the procedure. Patients reported having no pain and little or no discomfort after the procedures. Doctors reported that the results were adaptable and reproducible between physicians with a minimal learning curve for the procedure.
Lowell S. Kabnick, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.Ph., founder and Director of the Vein Institute of New Jersey and Director of the New York University Vein Center, performed the first great saphenous vein case in the United States with the ELVeS PL system on April 4, 2008. Ablation worked extremely well with complete vein occlusion noted after 72 hours via duplex ultrasound scanning, according to Dr. Kabnick.
Edward G. Mackay, M.D., of The Center for Vein Treatment & Laser Therapy in Florida, also reported that patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency who underwent the procedure had minimal discomfort on the treated segment of the vein. The patients, all between 50 and 60 in generally good health, were able to resume normal activities the same day.
Approximately 40% of women and 20% of men suffer from some type of lower extremity venous insufficiency, which is painful and unsightly. That number jumps to 72% over age 60. Traditional treatments, such as surgical ligation and vein stripping, are viewed as an unpleasant last resort that many patients avoid.
For more information, visit www.biolitec-us.com.