Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is used to treat small symptomatic varicose veins that cause discomfort such as aching, swelling, or heaviness. This procedure involves injecting a solution into the affected vein, causing it to close off and be reabsorbed by the body. While sclerotherapy is sometimes used in other practices for cosmetic treatment of spider veins, our office only provides this procedure for medically necessary treatment of symptomatic veins. After the procedure, it is normal to experience mild soreness or discoloration, which typically fades over a few weeks. Patients should avoid heavy activity the night after treatment, and do not fly for 10 days following the injection.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Some large veins that are directly underneath the skin are best treated with ambulatory phlebectomy. This is a procedure whereby a tiny incision is made adjacent to the vein and a specialized device is used to physically remove the vein. The instruments used create very small incisions that are nearly invisible once healed. Phlebectomy is performed in a staged fashion, after vein ablation or, occasionally, in the same setting. Phlebectomy is usually used for large veins close to surface of the skin that are left behind after the vein ablation procedure.

Vein Ablation

Depending on your anatomy, the procedures are chosen to get the best results with the least pain and the fastest return to full activities. We no longer perform vein stripping as we find Ablation Techniques are far less invasive and an equally effective procedures that can be performed in the office. A formal stripping physically removes the vein from your body. The ClosureFast technique gains access to the vein by means of a catheter and uses heat to collapse the vein by scarring it from within. The VenaSeal™ closure system delivers a small amount of a proprietary medical adhesive to the diseased vein. The adhesive closes the vein and blood is rerouted through nearby healthy veins. Please see videos below.

Vein Ablation Procedure: Where is it Performed?

• In almost all cases the procedure is performed as an outpatient in our office. On the day of your procedure, expect to be at the office for roughly 2-3 hours. You will be asked to check in 1 hour prior to procedure time. The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes. You will be observed for approximately 1 hour after the procedure is completed before you are discharged.

• You will need someone to drive you home.

What Should I Expect After I Go Home?

• While recovering, you want to minimize the amount of fluid that accumulates in your leg. You will need your leg elevated at all times. Walking is permitted, as long as you elevate your leg when sitting and avoid standing still for any length of time.

• You will have a bandage wrapped from your ankle to your thigh. This will be removed at your follow up appointment.

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