The LEDAS Varicose Vein Treatment System

What is the LEDAS treatment system?

The LEDAS treatment and relapse-prevention system is the approach developed by Dr. Kim Byoung Joon , a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon who has focused on varicose veins since 2001. It grew from his clinical experience and from a simple observation: varicose veins often return when diagnosis is incomplete, the treatment does not match the problem, or follow-up stops.

The name describes its building blocks: L aser, E ndovenous, D uplex guided, A blation, S clerotherapy. Rather than relying on a single technique, the system combines laser endovenous treatment, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy and standard sclerotherapy, held together by ultrasound at every stage.

Step 1: How does LEDAS diagnose varicose veins?

LEDAS believes treatment success depends on diagnostic accuracy, which in turn depends on experience and equipment. Every patient has a standing duplex ultrasound on one of four Philips EPIQ Elite units. The scan shows vessel size, shape and flow direction, and tests valve function to map reflux . It takes about 15–20 minutes, and before it starts you are shown how to read the monitor, so you can follow your own exam as Dr. Kim interprets it in real time.

Ultrasound is not used once and put away. It guides the procedure itself and is used afterward to confirm results and watch for new reflux. Learn more about the EPIQ Elite ultrasound .

Step 2: How does LEDAS treat varicose veins?

Treatment combines three methods, chosen vein by vein from the ultrasound map:

1. EVLT (endovenous laser treatment). A fiber about as thin as a hair is passed into the leaking vein. The 1940nm diode laser heats the inner wall so it seals shut, and the closed vein is gradually absorbed. The 1940nm wavelength is strongly absorbed by water, which helps limit effects on surrounding tissue.
2. DGS (duplex-guided sclerotherapy). Under ultrasound, a sclerosing agent is injected into dilated veins hidden between the muscles that cannot be seen from the skin. LEDAS regards DGS as the key step in preventing recurrence, and it requires highly trained staff.
3. SCT (sclerotherapy). Fine injections close visible reticular and spider veins.

All three are performed under local anesthesia only, with no general or spinal anesthesia and no incision. Injection treatments take a few minutes, and LEDAS notes they are well tolerated by elderly patients and people with serious chronic illnesses. You walk after treatment and go home the same day.

How is this different from stripping?

Traditional stripping and ambulatory phlebectomy remove veins through incisions, usually under general or spinal anesthesia. LEDAS lists their drawbacks as nerve damage risk, incision pain and scarring, a longer recovery, and recurrence from new vessels in the surgical field or perforator reflux. The LEDAS system was designed to avoid these. See why LEDAS moved away from stripping .

Step 3: How does LEDAS prevent relapse?

Varicose vein disease is chronic, so LEDAS treats it as a long-term relationship. The relapse prevention program has three stages:

• Initial treatment: closing the veins that caused the varicose veins
• Intensive treatment: treating small vessels, with re-examination after each session
• Lifetime management: follow-up ultrasound every one to two years, or whenever an overseas patient visits Korea, continuing even after full recovery

At each visit, the doctor scans for new reflux so it can be treated early, usually with a quick injection. For patients whose veins have already recurred, LEDAS also runs a dedicated re-operation clinic .

What does treatment day look like?

A typical day includes admission, an ECG, a pre-procedure ultrasound, EVLT and injection therapy, compression stocking training, monitored walking exercises, and discharge. Aftercare includes light walking for two to four weeks; some pulling discomfort for one to two weeks after laser is common. See the 10-step treatment process for international patients.

How much does it cost?

The first visit (consultation and leg ultrasound) costs 180,000 KRW. Treatment averages about 5,500,000 KRW per leg depending on disease stage, with an exact quote after the ultrasound.

The three steps of the LEDAS system

The LEDAS treatment system – frequently asked questions