Treatment Options
Several options are available for the treatment of venous reflux (backflow) and varicose veins. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. After your consultation and ultrasound evaluation, the doctor will recommend the best plan of treatment for your medical needs.
Sclerotherapy
A "sclerosing" solution is injected into the vein that causes the vein wall to swell, stick together and seal shut. This process stops the flow of blood, and the vein turns into scar tissue. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. The same vein may need to be treated more than once.
Most patients can expect improvement after treatment. Sclerotherapy treatments do not eliminate diseased veins after one single treatment. Patients need to be compliant with the number of sessions that are recommended to obtain the best results.
Endovenous Therapy
The minimally-invasive endovenous approach constitutes a great advance for treating the deeper vein of the leg, the saphenous vein, when it does not function normally and causes varicose veins. This new method has replaced traditional stripping surgery for the vast majority of patients with severe varicose veins in the leg.
The therapy is called endovenous because it is performed within the vein itself, by means of a catheter – a very thin, flexible tube. Once inside, the catheter sends out radiofrequency or laser energy that damages, shrinks and seals the vein wall.
Veins on the surface of the skin that are connected to the treated saphenous vein are then removed with a technique called micro-phlebectomy. Healthy veins around the closed vein restore the normal flow of blood in the leg. As this happens, symptoms from the varicose veins improve.
The procedure is done in our outpatient surgery facility. Patients are able to walk immediately after it is done, and generally return to normal activity in a couple of days. Endovenous treatment of varicose veins has been used for several years with excellent results.
After the procedure you will wear a special support stocking for two weeks. There will be some bruising, which is normal, and will completely resolve in four to six weeks. You may also experience some mild discomfort, tingling and/or tightness in the treated leg, which should go away in one to two weeks.