Advanced Vein & Vascular Center, Inc.


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			vein treatments vein treatments vein treatments vein treatments vein treatments vein treatment Treatments Available VNUS Closure (Radio Frequency Vein Ablation) The VNUS® Closure procedure, an alternative treatment option to traditional vein stripping surgery, brings state-of-the-art technology to an age-old disease. The Closure 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 As the RF energy is delivered and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated, causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close.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 Closure procedure typically resume normal activities within a day. EVLT (Endovenous Laser Treatment) Endovenous laser therapy is one of the newest techniques for the treatment of varicose veins as the result of superficial venous insufficiency. A tiny laser fiber is inserted into the vein, with ultrasound guidance, to the exact source of the venous problem. Laser pulses are then used to close the vein. It requires a small non-scarring incision in the skin, local anesthesia, no hospitalization and short recovery. In some cases, other treatments including sclerotherapy, ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, foam sclerotherapy, and or ambulatory phlebectomy, are used in combination with endovenous laser therapy. Benefits: The procedure is minimally invasive and less traumatic than traditional surgery It involves only a tiny non-scarring incision Recovery time is short allowing return to normal activities usually within a day The treatment is in-office. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia Ambulatory Phlebectomy Ambulatory phlebectomy or “hook” phlebectomy is a micro-extraction procedure which allows for the removal of large and small surface varicose veins through very small incisions that need no stitches. Skin incisions or needle punctures as small as 1 mm are used to extract veins with a phlebectomy hook. A hook is inserted into a micro-incision in the leg. A section of the vein is hooked and then removed through the incision. With this procedure, a compression bandage is worn for two weeks. This minimizes swelling and discomfort and allows for proper healing. Compression stockings Compression stockings have long been the mainstay of treatments for varicose veins, and for those people suffering from the effects of incompetent valves, but not necessarily showing visible varicosities. These symptoms include heaviness of the legs, pain, throbbing, itching, and even restless legs at night. Most insurers will require you to wear compression hose as “conservative therapy, for several months, prior to attempting any other form of treatment. Wearing compression, which starts at the ankle and travels up the leg, is a wise decision for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet, or who are already experiencing any of the previously discussed symptoms. And even after treatments, some people such as nurses, school teachers, hair dressers, and others in standing professions, would be wise to wear these on a regular basis to slow the progressive nature of venous disease. The only negative to wearing compression is that it is not a cure. It will only alleviate or reduce symptoms while worn, and will not help with a permanent solution. At AVVC, we make a wide variety of compression stockings available to you for purchase. The range of compression, colors, lengths, and styles is wide – they aren’t your Grandmother’s compression hose anymore! Please look over our selection and if something is not available, we can probably order it. Sclerotherapy Sclerotherapy is a technique which involves the use of a very fine needle to inject a solution (sclerosant) directly into the veins. The solution causes the lining of the vein swell, eventually sealing off the blood vessel and preventing blood flow. There is very little if any pain associated with sclerotherapy the way it is done at our center. The full result of sclerotherapy takes several weeks to several months to be fully appreciated, and may necessitate several treatments. This is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. Prior to treatment, a complete medical history is taken and a thorough examination made in order to determine, among other things, how long the problem has existed, the severity of the symptoms, whether or not the condition is affected by physical activity, and if there has been prior surgery or treatment of the veins. The physician determines if the deep venous system is affected, in which case surgery may be recommended before sclerotherapy is undertaken. Preoperative instructions may include the elimination of certain drugs which contain aspirin in order to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. The physician decides whether or not the area to be treated should be shaved. The veins are usually marked while the patient is in a standing position. Larger veins are usually treated first. After the skin is thoroughly cleansed with alcohol, the physician uses a syringe with a tiny needle to inject a small amount of sclerosing (hardening) solution directly into a vein. The solution displaces the blood within the vein, causing it to blanch or turn white. The solution then causes the vessel to become irritated and swell shut, prohibiting the blood from reentering the vein. When the needle is withdrawn, pressure is immediately applied to the area. The skin may be kneaded to help disperse the solution and reduce bruising. Each vein may require several injections and most disappear in two weeks to two months. Laser Superficial laser treatments can be very effective, and are often used for veins too small to inject. New technology in laser treatments can effectively treat spider veins in the legs. Laser surgery sends bursts of light energy into the vein. Different wavelengths of laser energy are attracted to different mediums, and we prefer a laser frequency that has good affinity for blood. As the light energy traverses the vein, it causes the same kind of damage to the vein walls as injections, and causes the vein to slowly shrivel and disappear over time. Lasers are very direct and accurate when used by a skilled operator. Most skin types and colors can be safely treated with lasers. Laser surgery is more appealing to some patients because it does not use needles or incisions. Still, when the laser hits the skin, the patient feels a heat sensation that can be quite painful. Cooling helps reduce the pain. Laser treatments last for 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the severity of the veins, two to five treatments are generally needed to remove spider veins in the legs. Patients can return to normal activity after treatment, just as with sclerotherapy. Some form of compression (compression stockings) is required for the first week following spider vein treatment. Stockings are also available at the Advanced Vein & Vascular center, Inc. For spider veins larger than 3 mm, laser therapy is not very practical.

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