This procedure is used for treatment of venous insufficiency, a disorder of the greater saphenous vein in 80% of patients.  In this condition the vein flow is reversed or “refluxes” when you are standing up.  The result is that over the years the veins near the surface of the skin enlarge and eventually become ”varicose veins”.  The older treatment for this disorder was the so-called “vein stripping” procedure that was performed in the operating room and required admission to the hospital.   The new treatment is much less invasive and is performed on an outpatient basis in our clinic.  A small catheter is inserted into the vein requiring treatment using ultrasound images for guidance.  A laser is inserted through this catheter and is used to heat the inside of the vein which destroys the vein and prevents reflux in the future.  The entire procedure is performed under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort.  This procedure does not affect arterial flow to or venous flow from the leg as this occurs in a deep group of blood vessels.