Varicose veins are chronic & recurrent conditions. The variety of treatment modalities such as conservative, injection sclerotherapy or surgery, will not offer a cure but rather a control of the condition. Your tendency, inborn in the majority of cases, of developing new veins may not be remedied by this or any other form of treatment. Your treatment options are (1) classical stripping, (2) ultrasound guided & regular sclerotherapy, (3) conservative therapy with elastic compression hosiery, (4) endovenous laser ablation, and (5) micro ambulatory phlebectomy.

(1) Classical Stripping

Hospitalization, general anesthesia, prolonged recovery, and considerable pain are frequently encountered—not to mention substantial permanent scarring at the incisional sites. SURGICAL HIGH LIGATION or DIVISION, under local anesthesia, of the most proximal deep to superficial escape point responsible for the regurgitant flow that fills up your varicose veins whenever you are upright. In the majority of cases, this will be localized either in the groin, at the sapheno-femoral (behind the knee), or at the sapheno-popliteal junction(s). In case no reflux is found, certainly no high ligation is performed.

(2) Ultrasound Guided Injections

This procedure can be performed when the right conditions exist, for example, vein diameter is less than 7.0 mm. The recurrence rate for varicose veins treated by sclerotherapy is very high.

(3) Conservative Therapy

Elastic compression hose does relieve some symptoms to a degree; however, they are worn for the rest of your life. They are very warm to wear and do not stop the progression of the disease.

(4) Endovenous Laser Ablation

This procedure is an outpatient treatment using local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. A thin laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a small opening, using only a single needle stick or incision. The fiber delivers laser energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs. As normal flow is re-established, your symptoms should improve noticeably. A bandage is placed over the insertion site and your leg may be wrapped for 2 days to aid healing. Your doctor may ask you to walk, wear compression stocking or refrain from long periods of standing for a period of time following the procedure.

(5) Ambulatory Phlebectomy / Micro-Extraction

Excision and disconnection of varicose veins. This is an outpatient surgical alternative to classical stripping in the reatment of varicose veins. No general anesthesia is required. In contrast, ambulatory phlebectomy or micro-extraction uses small 1 to 2 millimeter (1/16 inch) stab wounds only, which, in the majority of cases, leaves no visible scars. The total compression time is only 3 days. A daytime only, elastic stocking should be used for an additional 3 to 4 week period. The results are not immediate, and sometimes, several weeks or months are needed for the desired level of improvement to occur. (See before and after picture to left)

The procedure is done completely under local anesthesia and consists of;

• Ligation of Perforator Veins—A perforator vein is a dilated, incompetent varicose vein communicating the deeper vein system with the superficial system and has reversed the direction of its blood flow (now moving from the depth to the surface). It is divided under local anesthesia using a small incision, about 1 to 2 mm in length, at the site of the bulging perforator.
• Removal of the Varicose Tributaries of the Leg—This ensures the disconnection from the existing incompetent main saphenous trunk(s) and possible perforator(s) outflow as well. This ambulatory phlebectomy is done through multiple small incisions, about 1 to 2 mm in length, carefully placed along the varicose tributaries that have been locally anesthetized. With the aid of specially designed hooks, the varicosities are brought through the skin incisions, clamped, and removed.

Insurance

We accept Medicare and most other insurance plans, and are happy to file claims on behalf of our patients.

Call today for more information: (877) 414 -8346

 

Source: Text and All Photos: Erasers Inc.

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