Treatment
Options for Varicose Veins
No treatment: Some patients opt not to treat
their varicose veins. They may live their entire life with varicose
veins and never develop complications more serious than a chronic
dull ache.
Compression Hose: Compression hose aid in the
treatment of varicose veins by helping to squeeze the
blood back out of the legs by means of an upward gradient compression.
In many cases this will relieve discomfort.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy: Under the guidance
of ultrasound a needle is inserted into the greater saphenous vein
and a chemical is injected directly into the diseased vein. This
chemical irritates the vein wall causing it to collapse and scar
down.
Endo Venous Ablation: A catheter is inserted
into the greater saphenous vein at the level of the knee. This
is done using a large gauge needle, although sometimes a small
incision may be needed to locate the vein. A laser fiber is then
fed up the catheter into the proximal portion of the greater saphenous
vein. The laser fiber is slowly withdrawn as it fires energy into
the vein causing damage to the vein wall. This damage results in
the greater saphenous vein closing down.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy: After
Endo Venous Laser Therapy has destroyed the proximal greater saphenous
vein the branches of the varicose veins are surgically removed.
This is done through tiny incisions with an instrument that resembles
a crochet hook. The incisions are
closed with steri strips. No sutures are required. In most cases
you can return to work the following day.
Ligation and stripping: The traditional surgical
method used to remove varicose veins. This procedure involves numerous
incisions requiring suturing and a prolonged recovery period.
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