A PIONEERING varicose vein operation using lasers which has been trialled at the Countess of Chester Hospital is being pitched to the NHS.

Varicose veins are currently removed by making an incision at the groin and pulling the vein out, leaving the patient with substantial bruising and a recovery period of six weeks.

However, the laser technique, pioneered by the vascular department at Countess, can be performed under local anaesthetic. The laser effectively burns away the vein, resulting in no bruising and a faster recovery.

Sameh Dimitri, a consultant involved in the trial, said: 'We have pitched the business case to the hospital and there are currently discussions over it. We are still hoping to get it on the NHS for patients' benefit.

'The operation cuts down costs, as theatre is not needed, neither is an anaesthetist and considerably reduces recovery time for the patient.'

Trials for the procedure, which is currently available privately, have been carried out at The Countess over the past two years and many patients benefited.

Ann-Marie Harkness from Tarporley had the operation in July 2004 after waiting two years for treatment. She was just 25 at the time but had severe varicose veins that caused pain and the threat of deep vein thrombosis also worried her.

She said: 'It was fantastic, I was driving the next day. I had been waiting for two years for surgery and so

jumped at the chance to try it out.

'The veins were causing a lot of pain, especially at night and they were quite severe. I was so glad I did not have to go though the normal surgery- the laser just seemed so much more efficient.'

Thermo-ebrasion surgery is another technique that the vascular department is pushing for. Here heat is used instead of a laser but the benefits are equally as good as with laser. If two techniques are available, Mr Dimitri states more patients can be treated as the techniques will suit different people and different veins.

Mr Dimitri added: 'This procedure is better for the patients and saves time and therefore cost.' liza.williams @cheshirenews.co.uk