Dr. Robert Cutchen Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Meet Dr. Robert Cutchen

In 2009, Dr. Cutchen founded Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute, a clinic dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. His goal was to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options all in the comfort of his office without the need for hospitalization. Our goal is to treat every patient the way we ourselves would hope to be treated.

Read Dr. Cutchen’s full bio here

Vein Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Vein Treatments

We provide our patients with the most advanced and comprehensive vein treatments. See the difference between before and after.

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Aesthetic Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Aesthetic Treatments

We utilize the power of advanced laser technology to treat a multitude of cosmetic concerns. See what a difference our treatments can make.

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Patient Resources Albuquerque & Santa FeDo you have a question?

Discover our FAQ pages to find your answers. If you still have a question, please call us at (505) 848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you.

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
Endovenous Laser Ablation Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)

The use of laser treatments in medical procedures has been around for decades. Thanks to the latest and greatest in technology, lasers are now used for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including vein disease.

Unlike varicose vein treatment of previous generations, which required hospital-based vein stripping surgery, the state-of-the-art EVLA treatment available today involves the use of a minimally-invasive laser treatment that uses laser energy to close the diseased vein that is typically the source of the patient’s bulging, painful varicose veins. Today’s endovenous laser ablation treatment provides patients with an in-office procedure which involves minimal downtime and discomfort and is performed under local anesthesia.

How Does Endovenous Laser Ablation Work to Treat Varicose Veins?

Am I a Good Candidate for Endovenous Laser Ablation?

What is Endovenous Laser Ablation Like?

Is There Any Downtime?

What Results Can I Expect from Endovenous Laser Ablation?

Endovenous laser vein ablation is used to close certain diseased superficial veins that are only visible with ultrasound. This minimally-invasive procedure is performed right in the comfort and convenience of Dr. Robert Cutchen’s Albuquerque vein clinic. Through a series of steps under ultrasound guidance, a long thin laser fiber is passed up inside the length of the vein to be treated. The fiber tip is positioned precisely and then local anesthetic is injected to surround the entire length of the vein. The laser is then activated and painlessly pulled back through the vein, burning and closing the vein. The treated vein is then left in place and it disappears on its own over the course of 6-12 months.

The best candidates for EVLA are patients who have been experiencing symptoms of vein disease, including heavy, achy, tired legs, visible bulging varicose veins and swelling/pain at the end of the day, and have been diagnosed with venous reflux by way of diagnostic ultrasound performed in our office. Because symptomatic venous reflux is a medical issue, most insurance providers will cover treatment costs, and Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute participates with almost all insurance plans.

EVLA is a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure that is performed right in the comfort and convenience of our New Mexico vein clinic under local anesthesia only. Using ultrasound guidance, the skin is first numbed and a needle is placed into the vein to be treated. Through a series of steps, a laser fiber is placed into the vein and advanced through the length of the vein. Local anesthetic is then injected all along the course of the vein, surrounding the vein to numb it. During the procedure, patients will feel a few injections from a tiny needle to inject local anesthesia. As the laser is fired and slowly pulled back through the vein, the laser heats the wall of the vein effectively damaging and closing it, causing the blood to re-route and flow through healthy veins. While firing the laser, the patient feels no discomfort at all. The closed vein is eventually reabsorbed by the body. Associated branch veins or visible bulging veins are subsequently treated via Endovenous Chemical Ablation or Ambulatory Phlebectomy.

Patients are sent on a walk immediately after the procedure. In the following days, the leg may have some bruising which will gradually disappear over the course of two weeks. Patients are required to wear compression stockings for 3 weeks following the procedure and should walk for 30 minutes daily for 3-4 weeks.

Patients can expect to resume normal activities immediately, although strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 1-2 weeks. Patients should avoid sitting in hot water (hot tub/bathtub) for 2 weeks. Showering is fine. Ibuprofen may be taken for pain. Every patient experiences the post-treatment discomfort differently with some patients having little discomfort and others feeling more sore. Narcotic pain medications are not needed. Patients will be seen in follow-up at 6 weeks and 6 months.

The vast majority of patients notice a significant improvement of symptoms, including both the visible signs such as bulging veins, as well as medical symptoms, such as heavy, achy legs, post-procedure. Many patients will require Endovenous Chemical Ablation and/or Ambulatory Phlebectomy to treat bulging veins or leftover varicose veins that are seen only by ultrasound. Most patients report that they wish they had sought out vein treatment years earlier after they see how much better their legs both look and feel!

Endovenous laser vein ablation is used to close certain diseased superficial veins that are only visible with ultrasound. This minimally-invasive procedure is performed right in the comfort and convenience of Dr. Robert Cutchen’s Albuquerque vein clinic. Through a series of steps under ultrasound guidance, a long thin laser fiber is passed up inside the length of the vein to be treated. The fiber tip is positioned precisely and then local anesthetic is injected to surround the entire length of the vein. The laser is then activated and painlessly pulled back through the vein, burning and closing the vein. The treated vein is then left in place and it disappears on its own over the course of 6-12 months.

The best candidates for EVLA are patients who have been experiencing symptoms of vein disease, including heavy, achy, tired legs, visible bulging varicose veins and swelling/pain at the end of the day, and have been diagnosed with venous reflux by way of diagnostic ultrasound performed in our office. Because symptomatic venous reflux is a medical issue, most insurance providers will cover treatment costs, and Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute participates with almost all insurance plans.

EVLA is a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure that is performed right in the comfort and convenience of our New Mexico vein clinic under local anesthesia only. Using ultrasound guidance, the skin is first numbed and a needle is placed into the vein to be treated. Through a series of steps, a laser fiber is placed into the vein and advanced through the length of the vein. Local anesthetic is then injected all along the course of the vein, surrounding the vein to numb it. During the procedure, patients will feel a few injections from a tiny needle to inject local anesthesia. As the laser is fired and slowly pulled back through the vein, the laser heats the wall of the vein effectively damaging and closing it, causing the blood to re-route and flow through healthy veins. While firing the laser, the patient feels no discomfort at all. The closed vein is eventually reabsorbed by the body. Associated branch veins or visible bulging veins are subsequently treated via Endovenous Chemical Ablation or Ambulatory Phlebectomy.

Patients are sent on a walk immediately after the procedure. In the following days, the leg may have some bruising which will gradually disappear over the course of two weeks. Patients are required to wear compression stockings for 3 weeks following the procedure and should walk for 30 minutes daily for 3-4 weeks.

Patients can expect to resume normal activities immediately, although strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 1-2 weeks. Patients should avoid sitting in hot water (hot tub/bathtub) for 2 weeks. Showering is fine. Ibuprofen may be taken for pain. Every patient experiences the post-treatment discomfort differently with some patients having little discomfort and others feeling more sore. Narcotic pain medications are not needed. Patients will be seen in follow-up at 6 weeks and 6 months.

The vast majority of patients notice a significant improvement of symptoms, including both the visible signs such as bulging veins, as well as medical symptoms, such as heavy, achy legs, post-procedure. Many patients will require Endovenous Chemical Ablation and/or Ambulatory Phlebectomy to treat bulging veins or leftover varicose veins that are seen only by ultrasound. Most patients report that they wish they had sought out vein treatment years earlier after they see how much better their legs both look and feel!

If you would like to learn more about our vein treatments, including Endovenous Laser Ablation, please call our office at (505) 848-8346 today to schedule a consultation or fill out the form on this page and one of our trusted staff members will reach out to you promptly.