Stripping - Older Treatment
Historically, the only way to medically treat large varicose veins has been through surgical stripping, an extremely invasive and painful procedure that removes the veins from the legs. Stripping is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and results in a long recovery time for the patient. Recurrence rates are 10 to 25 percent. While stripping is still being done, there is no longer any need for this obsolete procedure in order to treat varicose veins.

Endovenous Laser Therapy - New Treatment
Since its introduction in 1999, Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) has become a much welcomed and extremely effective alternative to vein stripping. EVLT can be performed in a doctor’s office in less than an hour, using only a local numbing agent. There is no scarring or long recovery, and patients are encouraged to begin walking immediately upon leaving the clinic.

With EVLT, a delicate laser fiber is guided to the diseased vein, generally through a small puncture in the leg. The doctor then delivers laser energy through the fiber, which causes the vein to close as the fiber is gradually withdrawn. The body naturally reroutes blood through the many other healthy veins in the leg, so circulation is actually improved. View EVLT treatment video.

VNUS
RF-Radiofrequency (VNUS) Closure® VNUS was introduced into the US in 1999 and was added to RMVS in 2007 and has become very popular due to its claims of less bruising in the post-operative stage of treatment. It is very similar to EVLT in that the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Using ultrasound, your physician will position the Closure Catheter into the diseased vein, through a small opening or incision in the skin. The tiny catheter delivers radio-frequency (RF) energy to the vein wall. As the RF energy is delivered, and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. Once the disease vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.

There is minimal scarring and no long recovery, and patients are encouraged to take a few minutes before leaving our office to walk on a treadmill to begin the
active movement of blood for faster recovery. You will be back to normal
activities the same day. View VNUS treatment video.

Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is commonly used to treat spider veins by injecting a small amount of liquid into the affected vein, which seals it shut. This fast procedure can be done in a doctor’s office without anesthesia and with little or no discomfort.

Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy
Recent advances have led to a more state-of-the-art procedure known as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, in which ultrasound images allow the doctor to locate the deeper vein that is feeding the spider veins, and block the blood at that source by injecting a foam into these malfunctioning veins.

Microphlebectomy
This procedure can be used alone or in conjunction with EVLT, to physically remove the collapsed veins. While microphlebectomy does involve physical removal of the vein, it is far less extreme and invasive than stripping. Tiny entry points allow the physician to hook and remove the appropriate section of the vein under local anesthesia in the doctor’s office. It is generally not painful and is well tolerated, with little or no scarring afterwards.

View videos of other treatments.