1 Barnard Lane, Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 761-6666

Closure®/Radiofrequency Ablation
The Closure® procedure or radiofrequency ablation has replaced the need for surgery of varicose veins in most cases. It is well tolerated and requires minimal recovery time. The procedure is performed in the office using local anesthesia. It involves the passage of a catheter into the diseased vein. This catheter heats the wall of the vein using radiofrequency energy. This process causes the vein to collapse and seal off, thereby eliminating the varicose vein. The procedure itself takes about 15 -20 minutes. Plan on being in the office for about one hour.

Before the Procedure
You will be given the option to receive a mild sedative. A prescription for this will be given to you at the time that you schedule your procedure. Our goal is to make you comfortable and relaxed throughout your treatment. The atmosphere in the procedure room is very soothing and relaxing. You may bring your own music (CD, iPod, etc.) to listen to. The procedure itself takes 30 – 60 minutes. Plan on being in the office for 2 – 3 hours.

The Procedure
The vein is mapped using the ultrasound. Your leg is cleansed and the skin is anesthetized (numbed with a local anesthetic called Lidocaine). This will cause a slight burning sensation. The catheter is then placed and advanced using ultrasound guidance. The skin along the course of the vein is then numbed. These steps take about five minutes. This is the only time that you should feel discomfort during the procedure. The area surrounding the catheter is now anesthetized. Radiofrequency energy is then applied to the vein wall as the catheter is slowly withdrawn. As stated above, this energy heats the wall of the vein and causes it to close off. After treatment, ultrasound imaging is used to confirm that the vein is sealed shut. If a portion of the vein is not closed, the catheter can be reinserted and energy reapplied. A small dressing is placed over the entry site followed by your compression hose.

ClosureFAST® is the latest technology in radiofrequency ablation. The procedure is very similar to that described above. However, the temperature with which the catheter heats the varicose vein is significantly higher (120° C vs. 85° C). The duration of application of the heat is significantly shorter with the new procedure, reducing the time to one third to one sixth of the procedure time for the standard Closure® procedure.

Following the Procedure
Most patients report a marked improvement in their symptoms within days to weeks after the procedure. Usually the leg looks better before it feels better. Immediate cosmetic results do not usually occur. Please be patient since this is a process. Approximately 30 – 40% of patients will need further treatment to achieve the final desired result. The need for further treatment is determined at your follow-up visit. The follow-up visit is extremely important and should not be missed.

As with any medical intervention risks and complications, though unusual, can occur with the Closure® procedure. We will discuss these with you in detail at the time of your office visit.

Further Information
Further information can be obtained at the website of the Closure® manufacturer, VNUS: www.vnus.com.

Back to top

Injection Sclerotherapy
This technique is the main treatment option for spider veins. Occasionally, it is used for treating certain varicose veins. The technique involves injecting a diseased vein with a chemical called a sclerosant. This chemical causes the blood vessel to close up and eventually disappear. This treatment is performed in a short office visit and is often painless.

Before the Procedure
You should not use cream or lotion on your legs on the day of treatment. No other special preparation is needed.

The Procedure
Using a very fine needle, the "sclerosing" chemical is injected into the diseased vein. In many cases the sclerosant can be more effectively administered using ultrasound guidance so as to visualize the vein. Whether or not ultrasound is required is a decision that is made on a case-by-case basis at the time of your visit. The chemical causes inflammation in the walls of the vein, causing them to swell shut and stick together. Each vein can require several injections and veins generally disappear in weeks to months. Results may continue to improve for up to one year.

The vein shrivels and is eventually reabsorbed by the body. When the needle is withdrawn, pressure is immediately applied to the area and the area is often massaged to distribute the solution. The procedure is usually painless, though you may experience a slight burning or tingling sensation. Each vein can require several injections and veins generally disappear in two weeks to two months. Most patients require multiple sessions in order to fully treat their spider veins.

Back to top

Ambulatory Microphlebectomy
Ambulatory Microphlebectomies are used to remove smaller varicose veins. This procedure should not be confused with vein stripping. Microphlebectomies can be done as the only treatment for your varicose veins or to remove residual varicose veins after an ablation procedure.

Before the Procedure
You will be given a prescription for a mild analgesic (pain killer) to take after the procedure if you need it. You may request a sedative if you want. Both prescriptions will be given to you at your pre-procedure office visit. Take the sedative before you leave your house the day of your procedure.

The Procedure
Your veins will be marked while you are standing. Local anesthesia is injected along the course of the varicose veins. This will make the area numb. Skin incisions as small as 1 mm are made over or next to the varicose veins and the veins are gently removed using a small hook. Some incisions may be closed with glue but they are usually so small that they close on their own. No stitches are normally required.

Your leg is either wrapped in an ace wrap or a stocking is placed. You will be able to walk normally and leave shortly after the procedure is complete. You can go back to work and return to your normal activities the next day. Vigorous exercise is limited during the healing process. Bruising may occur and is part of the process. You may limit the amount of bruising by using Arnica, an herbal medication, which can be obtained from our office.

After the Procedure
Risks and complications are rare. You should call Vanishing Veins if you experience severe bleeding or swelling, increasing leg pain, numbness of the feet or fever.

Back to top

Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is effective for treatment of spider veins and reticular veins. Without an incision a beam of laser light is transmitted through your skin to the targeted vein. The energy causes the blood to coagulate and transmits thermal or heat energy to the wall of the vein. This process causes the vein to collapse and seal off, thereby eliminating the varicose vein. The blood that previously flowed through the varicose vein is redirected to healthy veins.

The laser's parameters are specially designed to match your skin type, assuring exceptionally exact and gentle treatment with no damage to the overlying skin. Clinical trials conducted by leading authorities on laser light document its safety and effectiveness. Patients of all skin colors can be treated.

Though there may be some discomfort, generally described as a rubber band snap, a cooling device is used to minimize the soreness. This treatment is frequently used in conjunction with other treatment modalities, such as sclerotherapy, to achieve optimal results. Temporary bruising and darkening of the skin may result and will disappear in several days or weeks. It usually takes two to six weeks before a response is seen and it may take several months to see final results. More than one treatment is generally needed.

Back to top

Multimodality Therapy
As described in this section there are a variety of different methods that can be used to treat your vein problems. It is our intention to achieve the result that you want both in terms of how you look and how you feel. Often, this will require the use of more than one of the techniques of radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy, laser therapy and/or microphlebectomy and more than one treatment session. At Vanishing Veins we will determine the best combination of treatments for your specific situation.

Back to top

Diagnostic Ultrsaound
Ultrasound uses acoustic or sound waves to obtain a picture of structures of the body. These waves are transmitted into your body and reflect off internal structures. When they return to the instrument they are collected by a receiver. This receiver processes these signals and constructs an image of your veins.

With these pictures it is possible to detail all aspects of the anatomy of the targeted veins including the pathway that they follow, their size, whether or not they are straight, the state of the valves and whether venous reflux is present. Ultrasound has been performed for decades and is completely safe. It is painless and without sensation other than the coolness of the gel that is used.

Back to top