Comprehensive Vein Treatment Plans

There are many vein treamtments available for varicose and spider veins. Generally, the smallest veins are injected (sclerotherapy) or treated with a surface laser, and the larger veins are removed or ablated.

In the past, removal meant “vein stripping” using a general anesthesia in the hospital setting, however newer techniques are available to ablate the veins in a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure with local anesthesia. These new techniques and devices have made treatment simpler and more effective.

Closure Procedure – ClosureFast™ Procedure

The ClosureFast™ procedure, an alternative treatment option to traditional vein stripping surgery, brings state-of-the-art technology to an age-old disease.

The ClosureFast™ procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Using ultrasound, your physician will position the closure catheter into the diseased vein, through a small opening in the skin. The tiny catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall. As the RF energy is delivered and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated, causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.

Following the procedure, a simple bandage is placed over the insertion site, and additional compression may be provided to aid healing. Your doctor may encourage you to walk, and to refrain from extended standing and strenuous activities for a period of time.

Patients who undergo the ClosureFast™ proceduretypically resume normal activities within a day.

Highlights of the ClosureFast™ procedure:

  • Relief of symptoms
  • Resume normal activity within a day
  • Outpatient procedure
  • Local or general anesthesia
  • Good cosmetic outcome with minimal to no scarring, bruising or swelling

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Medium-sized and larger varicose veins can be removed by a procedure called stab avulsion or phlebectomy. This procedure can be performed using local anesthesia, at the same time as the Venefit™ procedure. Small incisions are made in the skin to allow a tool to be placed through the skin to hook the vein and pull it out through the skin incision.

Postoperative pain at these locations is very minimal and the resulting incision scars are almost imperceptible once the leg has completely healed. When indicated, this is usually done at the same time as the Venefit™ procedure.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical treatment for varicose veins that involves injecting a detergent-like solution into the vein, causing the lining of the vein wall to swell, stick together and ultimately seal shut. Once the vein is sealed, the flow of blood is stopped and scar tissue develops in the vein. With the diseased vein sealed, blood is forced into healthier veins. The treated vein is absorbed and eventually becomes nearly invisible. Sclerotherapy may need to be performed multiple times over the course of weeks or months to achieve the desired results.

Sclerotherapy is commonly used to treat small veins or to improve the appearance of larger veins after more invasive corrective surgery. Most studies demonstrate that patients will experience a 50-70% improvement in the appearance of varicose veins if the procedure is performed correctly.

Anywhere from one to several sessions may be required to achieve these results. Typically this process is followed by 2 weeks of compression therapy with medically prescribed support hose. The procedure is minimally invasive, does not require anesthesia and can be performed in a doctor’s office.

VenaSeal

The VenaSeal procedure delivers a small amount of a specially formulated medical adhesive to the diseased vein. The adhesive seals the diseased vein and the blood is rerouted through nearby healthy veins. Read more about how our Vein Clinic treats varicose vein issues here.