Learn more about Varicose veins, spider veins and other leg veins problems.
(click here for brochure about leg vein diseases)

What is Vein Ablation?

Vein ablation is an effective, non-surgical treatment for superficial venous reflux, a condition that develops when the valves in the legs become weak and allow blood to pool. When this happens, the branch vessels in the legs become enlarged and appear twisted or rope-like. The result is a varicose vein that can cause pain, swelling, and other circulatory problems.

Although veins affected by venous reflux cannot be repaired, vein ablation is a procedure that closes the damaged veins without requiring their removal, and allows blood to re-route itself to healthier veins.

Risks and Symptoms of Venous Reflux

Pregnant women and women/men with a family history of varicose veins are at highest risk to develop venous reflux. The risk also increases with age. A sedentary lifestyle or a job that requires constant standing can also increase your risk.

Symptoms of venous reflux include:

• Leg pain or aching
  
• Swelling of the legs
  
• Visible veins in the legs
  

These risks can also cause another type of vein anomaly, called spider veins. Spider veins are smaller, thread-like vessels that appear on the surface of the skin.

Options for Treating Varicose and Spider Veins

There are several options for treating varicose and spider veins. Varicose veins are frequently treated by removing or closing the affected veins, so that blood can flow freely through the remaining healthy veins. This can be done through surgery, vein ablation, and sclerotherapy.

Vein ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the placement of a catheter that delivers heat to the affected veins. The heat cauterizes the vessel, and blood reroutes itself through the remaining, healthy veins.

Surgery is a more invasive procedure, and requires a lengthier recovery period. Often called "stripping," the procedure is usually done under local or partial anesthesia, such as an epidural. Affected veins are "stripped" out and the veins that connect to the deeper veins are tied off. Blood then reroutes itself through the remaining, healthy veins.

Sclerotherapy is a common method for treating spider veins. During this minor procedure, a solution is delivered into the vein through a small needle; no sedation is required. The solution irritates the lining of the vein and causes it to swell; the blood then clots and the vein fades from view.

How Vein Ablation is Performed

You are placed under twilight sedation (not general anesthesia, but you are sedated and groggy). An interventional radiologist injects a local anesthetic at several points along your leg. He or she then places a thin catheter (small tube) into the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers radio frequency (RFA) energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut.

After the diseased vein is closed, healthy veins take over and empty the pooled blood from your legs. Symptoms improve almost immediately after the procedure.

What to Expect After the Procedure

Vein ablation is performed in a doctor’s office, surgical center or hospital as an outpatient procedure, meaning that you will go home the same day. After the catheter is removed, a bandage is placed over the insertion site and your leg may be wrapped for a day to speed the healing process. You may also have to wear compression stockings and to refrain from long periods of standing for a few weeks after the procedure.

What's the Difference Between Vein Ablation and Surgery?  ELVS^TM

Vein ablation is less invasive than surgical removal of varicose veins. Until recently, large varicose veins have typically been removed surgically. Often referred to as "stripping," this procedure leaves large scars, requires general anesthesia, and requires up to two weeks of recovery. Further, the problem veins recur in 10% of patients who have the surgery.

Vein ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that closes damaged veins instead of removing them. The procedure is less painful, scarring is minimal, recovery time is much quicker, and the cost is typically one third that of surgery.

Endovascular laser Venous system for the treatment of varicose veins
We offer  ELVS^TM endovascular laser venous system for the treatment of varicose veins. For more information click on their logo below.

VNUS Closure Procedure.  
We offer  the Closure procedure to our patients.  The Closure procedure is a minimally invasive treatment that uses Radiofrequency energy (RF) to treat  a condition known as superficial venous reflux, which can cause pain, swelling and varicose veins in your legs. The condition develops when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs become damaged or diseased. For more information click on their logo below.