McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
RFA vs EVLA treatment for varicose veins
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) are two minimally invasive treatments used to effectively treat varicose veins, but what’s the difference?
Published by Dr Alex Vesey
Date posted — 29.09.24
What are Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)?
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.
What is the difference?
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.
What are the benefits of RFA treatment?
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.
Expert Video
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.
Why is RFA better than “laser” or EVLA?
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.
Are there other options for varicose vein treatment?
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.
Interested in Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?
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.
Related Articles
Varicose veins
Your guide to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment of varicose veins
If you're struggling with the discomfort, swelling, or unsightly appearance of varicose veins, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) could be the solution...
Varicose veins
Everything you need to know about VenaSeal™ vein treatment
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
Varicose veins
Exploring different treatments to get rid of varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3
Varicose veins
Your guide to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment of varicose veins
If you're struggling with the discomfort, swelling, or unsightly appearance of varicose veins, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) could be the solution...
Varicose veins
Everything you need to know about VenaSeal™ vein treatment
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
Varicose veins
Exploring different treatments to get rid of varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
Here`s another fabulous result from our talented surgeon @bramhallplasticsurgery.
This lovely patient had a wide awake deep plane face and neck lift under local anaesthetic. The deep plane technique is the most technically challenging facelift to perform, and Russell remains the only surgeon in Scotland offering it. Unlike more traditional lifts, it goes much deeper to reposition the facial tissues rather than simply pulling them tight.
The outcome is a much more effective rejuvenation and results that last far longer than a standard facelift.
She is nine months post-surgery and absolutely delighted with her results.
What do you think?
For more information on the deep plane face and neck lift, check out the link in our profile.
We’re saying goodbye to summer, but hello to laser season!
With the shorter days and weaker sunlight, autumn and winter are the most popular times of year for laser treatments. In the clinic we use a spectrum of world-leading technologies, from gentle refreshes right through to the most transformative resurfacing, to help undo sun damage, smooth texture and bring out your best skin.
BBL is our universal refresher — excellent for redness, sun damage and pigmentation, and it leaves skin glowing without any downtime. For patients looking for some more correction, Halo combines two wavelengths to resurface the skin, refine pores and soften fine lines, usually with less than a week of recovery. And when the goal is the most dramatic change, full laser resurfacing delivers a complete reset, tackling the deepest lines and wrinkles and dramatically transforming skin quality.
Here are some of our fabulous patients who have kindly let us share their results. If you’ve been considering laser treatment, now really is the ideal time to start!
Check the link in our bio for more information on our laser treatments.
Thank you so much to our incredible patient for allowing us to share her results with you. The patient was bothered by the appearance of her jowls which were, predominantly, the result of volume loss from the face.
We restored volume in all the key areas of the face to give her a nice, subtle rejuvenation. She is over the moon with her results. What do you think?
I am VERY excited to let you know about the newest recruit to the Dream Team - Dr Kavita Sharma. Kavita is a fully qualified consultant plastic surgeon who specialises in breast reconstruction for cancer patients in the NHS, as well aesthetic surgery of the breast.
She is going to be performing predominantly breast and body surgery with us (including gynaecomastia surgery for men with enlarged chests!). Aside from being a highly technically-skilled plastic surgeon, what is exciting about Kavita is that she is one of the few female plastic surgeons performing aesthetic surgery.
She has an excellent intuitive understanding of aesthetics as well as the needs and wants of aesthetic surgery patients.
I am sure you are all going to love her as much as we do!
One of the most powerful yet subtle procedures we offer is upper blepharoplasty, removing excess skin from the upper eyelids to create a fresher, more open look.
Thank you to this lovely patient for allowing us to share her results with you. This transformation by the ever-talented @bramhallplasticsurgery shows how a carefully performed eyelid lift can restore definition and lightness around the eyes, without changing your natural expression.
If you’d like to find out more about the upper blepharoplasty or find out if you would be a suitable candidate check the link in our bio.
So tonight we have a double whammy post. First, another example of our 5ml protocol.
But of equal excitement level, an introduction to the newest doctor to join the DreamTeam - Dr Sharon, who is performing the procedure! We are very excited for Sharon to come on board.
Let us know what you think in the comments!
I am so excited to let you all know that our precious daughter is about to have a precious little sister!
The pregnancy has been a bit of a challenge, which is why we haven`t said anything about it before now, but we will be finishing up in the next few weeks to head over to America for the birth and we will be away for 6 weeks.
If you are due to see me in that time frame, I`m adding in some extra availability over the next few weeks to try and see you before we go, and our fabulous team will look after you while we`re away!
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.
Join us on Instagram to keep up with the latest results and expert insights from the clinic team.
Our dedicated team of experts are on hand to help you as you navigate your journey with us.
When you first make contact with us you will be assigned your own personal Patient Relationship Manager. They’ll start by understanding your needs and liaising with our doctors to book you an appointment with the most suitable specialist. For any additional questions or needs, you can message or call them anytime and they’ll be delighted to assist you. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the best possible treatment and care tailored to your needs.
Sign up to our newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest news from McKeown Medical and get access to expert insights, our latest before and afters and exclusive offers.
