Use of endovenous laser ablation for vascular malformations to date has proved successful in decreasing pain, swelling, and disfigurement associated with vascular malformations without significant side effects.

Endovenous laser ablation is believed to result in a lower rate of formation of blood clots compared with other treatments currently in use for vascular malformations.

As with any invasive procedure, complications can occur. Possible complications related to this procedure include injury to the skin and local nerves.

Your child will receive general anesthesia to help him or her stay still during the procedure. General anesthesia is medicine that causes deep sleep. A doctor called an anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss this and obtain consent. Older children and adults can have this procedure without general anesthesia.

Explain in simple terms why the procedure is needed and what will happen. Some things you may want to say:
     You will be close by during the procedure
     Your child may bring a favorite toy or blanket into the room

When you arrive, the radiologist will talk with you about the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form.

Your child will change into a hospital gown.

A nurse will start an intravenous (IV). He or she will apply some numbing cream first before starting the IV.

You and your child will be brought into the room where the procedure is done.

Then the nurse will give some medicine through the IV to help your child relax. You may stay until your child falls asleep.

If your child is very young, he/she may go to sleep with medicine and a mask.

Next the doctor inserts a catheter through a tiny opening in the skin. The laser is then threaded through the catheter and into the blood vessel to be treated.

When the procedure is done, the laser and the catheter are removed. The nurse applies a dressing to the tiny opening in the skin. If the vascular malformation involves an arm or leg, a tight wrap or stocking is put on.

In many cases, the vascular malformation is also treated, during the same procedure, by injection of a sclerosing medication into the smaller blood vessels (sclerotherapy).

Your child will receive fluids and pain medicine through the IV.

The interventional radiologist will speak to you about the results.

Your child may feel some pain or "tightness" as the area heals. Pain medication may be prescribed. The level of activity your child can have after the procedure will be outlined before your child is discharged.