The objective of the A.S.V.A.L. method is to be at the same time preventive, less aggressive and more precise, and its principle is based on a new concept which calls into question the principles of the traditional surgery.

There are two great types of veins on the level of the legs:
- the superficial veins, located under the skin, which are responsible for the varicose veins;
- deep veins, located in the muscles.

During a very long time the methods of treatment of the varicose veins evolved little and consisted in withdrawing the principal superficial vein of drainage, the saphenous vein (stripping), and its branches (phlebectomy).

These traditional methods are nevertheless aggressive and cause painful haematomas. They do not very much preserve the venous capital because they systematically withdraw the saphenous vein and require an important anaesthesia with hospitalization. Moreover, the aesthetic result is inconstant with an important frequency of repetitions.


THE TRADITIONAL THEORY
The traditional surgery works on the assumption that the varicose veins are propagated from the top to the bottom (downward evolution), in other words from the top of the saphenous vein, on the level of the groin, until reaching the small collateral veins, lower on the leg.

Downward evolution of the superficial venous insufficiency (traditional approach).

Radical solution: the traditional surgical method consists in removing the collateral veins AND the saphenous vein, judged responsible for the varicose veins, relying on the remaining veins to carry the blood up to the heart. The operation, rather heavy, requires anaesthesia and hospitalization.

Traditional treatment by crossectomy-stripping,
that is to say the ablation
of the collateral veins
and the saphenous vein.

THE A.S.V.A.L. APPROACH
We work on the assumption that the varicose veins are on the contrary propagated from the bottom to the top (ascending evolution), in other words from small lower collateral veins towards the saphenous higher vein, reaching the top of the leg gradually.

Ascending evolution of the superficial venous insufficiency (A.S.V.A.L. method).

Soft solution: the A.S.V.A.L. method aims at solely withdrawing only the collateral veins which are a problem, under local anaesthesia. The saphenous vein is preserved. Even when this one is affected by the varicose veins, the fact of acting on the small lower veins can enable it to fully regain its functions.

Treatment by selective ablation of the varicose veins under local anaesthesia (A.S.V.A.L. method).