Non-Surgical Outpatient Solutions for Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are known for their distinctive blue color and bulging appearance on the skin.  Resembling large, elongated worms, they afflict an estimated 10%-20% of the adult population.  In the United States, that translates into 20-25 million people, the majority of whom are women. Traditionally, patients diagnosed with venous reflux would undergo vein stripping surgery to correct this condition.

Now, patients whose varicose veins are causing symptoms can be treated with two innovative procedures - Closure and VenaCure- both minimally invasive alternatives to painful vein stripping surgery.

How it works
These treatments are outpatient procedures performed using imaging guidance. Local anesthesia with moderate sedation is used to insure comfort during the treatment.

You and your Interventional Radiologist will determine which procedure is best for you. The method is similar in both procedures:

Closure Procedure: An interventional radiologist guides a probe through a tiny tube into the vein a radio frequency is transmitted to close off the vein.

VenaCure Treatment: A laser fiber is inserted into the vein. The laser  energizes the fiber as it is withdrawn from the vein. Energy emitted from  the tip of the fiber causes only the treated vein to close, while the body automatically routes the blood to the other veins.

By closing the great saphenous vein, the twisted and varicosed branch veins which are close to the skin shrink and improve in appearance. Once the vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg and re-establish normal flow

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Post-Procedure
Following the procedure, the catheter is removed, a bandage is placed over the insertion site and your leg may be wrapped typically for 1 day to aid healing.  Your doctor may ask you to walk, wear compression stockings, and to refrain from standing for long periods of time following the procedure to help speed your recovery.  Many patients resume normal activity within 1-2 days.

Benefits
Interventional treatment provides a safe and effective alternative to vein stripping. Benefits of this non-invasive procedure include:

• Quick relief of symptoms
• Small incision
• Immediate return to normal activity with little or no pain.
• No scar or stitches.
• Low recurrence rate compared to surgery.
• Success rates range from 93 to 95 percent.
  

Insurance
Many major insurance carriers cover these procedures, based on medical necessity for symptom relief.

	What Are Varicose Veins? Learn about the causes, risk factors, symptoms and treatments for varicose veins and other vein conditions. More Info!
	FAQs About The Closure Procedure and VenaCure Treatment Common questions (and answers) about these groundbreaking new procedures for treating varicose veins. More Info!

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Paoli Hospital interventional radiologist,
Call 1-866-CALL-MLH.