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What Is an Endovenous Ablation of the Left Greater Saphenous Vein?

The left and right greater saphenous veins are long veins in the legs that run from the inside of the thigh to the inside of the calf. They are commonly involved in endovenous ablation, a technique used to treat varicose veins.

  1. The Facts

    • According to American College of Radiology, varicose veins are veins that have lost their ability to properly direct blood flow from the lower extremities to the heart. This is typically due to weakened valves within the veins.

    Significance

    • Varicose veins may be merely unsightly, or may trigger symptoms including aches, leg heaviness and night cramps. Severe varicose veins may increase the risk of developing a much more serious disorder called deep vein thrombosis.

    Endovenous Ablation

    • Endovenous ablation is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses a catheter inserted into a vein to direct heat from laser optics or a radiofrequency electrode. This heat shrinks varicose veins and cuts off their blood supply.

    Benefits

    • By performing an ablation on the greater saphenous veins—or great saphenous veins—doctors can also treat more inaccessible veins that branch off further down the left or right leg.

    Considerations

    • The effectiveness of endovenous ablation is near 100 percent, although additional treatments are sometimes necessary.

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