Endovascular laser treatment (EVLT): Caring for your child at home after the procedure

Your child has had endovascular laser treatment (EVLT). The information on this page explains how to care for your child at home after the procedure, and when to call for help.

What to expect after EVLT

Your child may experience the following symptoms:

• Bruising along the treated vein.
• Swelling in the area where the vein was treated.
• Slight tenderness in the treated area.
• A "pulling" sensation in the leg where EVLT was done. This may occur a couple of days after the procedure. If your child is in pain, give them ibuprofen for 48 hours.

Discharge from the hospital

Most children who have EVLT go home the same day. This is usually four hours after the procedure.

Pressure garment

Your child may be prescribed a high-pressure garment to wear. This garment must be worn day and night for the first5 to 7 days. After 5 to 7 days, the garment must be worn during the daytime only for five weeks.

Bathing

Your child may have a bath or shower 24 hours after the procedure. Use unscented soap to clean the treated area.

Meals

If your child is feeling well enough after the anaesthetic, they can return to eating what they normally eat. It is also important to encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids for 48 hours after the procedure.

Pain relief

Your child may feel local pain or discomfort after the procedure. This may last one or two days. If needed, give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.

Activity

Your child can resume gentle activities 24 hours after the procedure. These include walking and going to school. Your child should avoid any major physical activity for six weeks. These include:

• activities played during gym class
• contact sports
• gymnastics
• diving/swimming
• bicycle riding
• rollerblading
• hockey
• soccer
• skiing
• horseback riding

Follow-up

A follow-up visit will be arranged approximately six to eight weeks after the procedure. However, if your child has other future procedures to treat vascular malformations (sclerotherapy treatments) scheduled, a follow-up visit may take place one week prior to the next booked sclerotherapy.

When to see a doctor

Phone your child’s specialist, the Image Guided Therapy (IGT) clinic or go to the nearest Emergency Department right away if your child has any of the following:

• fever greater than 38°C (100.4°F)
• severe pain in treatment area that is not controlled with acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• generalized swelling of the leg
• skin blisters

At SickKids

If you have any concerns, call the Image Guided Therapy (IGT) clinic at (416) 813-7654 ext. 201804. Speak to the IGT clinic nurse during working hours or leave a non-urgent message.

If you have concerns and it is after working hours, see your family doctor or go to the nearest Emergency Department. You can also call the Hospital for Sick Children switchboard at (416) 813-7500 and ask them to page a member of your child’s health-care team or the interventional radiology fellow on call.