Clinical Research & Phlebology at LEDAS

What is phlebology?

Phlebology is the branch of medicine concerned with veins — how they work, how they fail and how vein disorders are diagnosed and treated. It covers conditions such as varicose veins, spider veins, chronic venous insufficiency, venous leg ulcers and blood clots. In Korea, the Korean Society for Phlebology brings together doctors working in this field. Dr. Kim Byoung Joon is one of its founding members.

What has LEDAS published?

The clinic's published work is a Korean-language study titled “Subjective symptoms can be the indicator of varicose veins.” Its central idea is practical and important for patients: varicose vein disease does not always show on the skin. Many people experience symptoms long before a vein bulges, including:

• Heaviness or a “bursting” feeling in the calves
• Aching or pulling pain, especially after standing
• Swelling around the ankles by evening
• Night cramps that disturb sleep
• Itchy, dry skin on the lower legs

This work shapes how LEDAS approaches patients: symptoms are taken seriously and investigated with ultrasound, even when the legs look normal. Read more on varicose vein symptoms and try our self-check checklist .

How does research shape treatment at LEDAS?

The LEDAS treatment system was developed by Dr. Kim from clinical experience and several varicose vein studies. Three questions have guided this work:

1. Why do varicose veins come back?

Dr. Kim identifies three main causes of recurrence: incomplete diagnosis, the wrong treatment plan or method, and lack of preventive follow-up. This led to a detailed standing duplex ultrasound before every treatment and to the long-term relapse prevention program .

2. How can hidden veins be treated without incisions?

Some refluxing veins lie between muscles and cannot be seen. Combining laser closure of trunk veins with duplex-guided sclerotherapy allows these to be treated through injections under ultrasound guidance.

3. How can treatment be less invasive?

Moving from stripping surgery to endovenous laser treatment under local anesthesia, and adopting a 1940nm water-targeting laser, reflect the clinic's focus on reducing pain, bruising and recovery time.

Where can I find independent research on varicose veins?

The general principles used at LEDAS — duplex ultrasound as the standard test, endovenous thermal ablation as a first-line treatment for refluxing trunk veins, foam sclerotherapy for tributaries and recurrence, and compression as a supportive measure — are well established in international vein guidelines. If you want to read further, look for clinical practice guidelines published by national and international vascular and phlebology societies.

How does LEDAS use clinical data responsibly?

LEDAS does not publish success or recurrence percentages on this website, because such figures depend heavily on how they are measured and on patient selection. Instead, the clinic offers each patient regular follow-up ultrasound every 1–2 years so that results can be checked in their own legs. Any use of patient information for research follows Korean privacy law and the clinic's consent procedures. See patient rights .

Does LEDAS teach other doctors?

Yes. The LEDAS Academy shares the clinic's methods with physicians through theory, clinical observation and case-based learning.

From research question to clinical practice

Research and publications – frequently asked questions