Vein Elimination -The New England Vein Center
Varicose veins -the ballooning out of leg veins resulting from too much pressure caused by faulty valves- is one of the most common adult maladies of the civilized world. They can produce discomfort, aching, fatigue, itching, and cosmetic and emotional distress.
Spider veins-so called because of their appearance resembling a spider's web-are less pronounced examples of varicose veins that tend to occur in the thigh and ankle region.
Traditional Treatment
Up until quite recently, the conventional treatment for varicose veins and spider veins was surgery ("stripping" of the veins). This operation often required up to three hours of surgery, involved hospitalization, general anesthesia, lengthy postoperative recovery (several days of bed rest), stitches, post-surgical pain and large scars resulting from the major incisions required. As one might expect, this procedure was-and remains-quite expensive. Moreover, in many cases, the varicose veins returned, requiring additional surgery.
The New Technology
Micro Incision Phlebectomy (Ambulatory Phlebectomy). This technique is used to cosmetically eliminate large varicose veins. This procedure involves applying local anesthetic, then making tiny, 2-3 millimeter incisions to remove the varicosities. Micro Incision Phlebectomy takes about 3 hours per leg and heals without stitches or scarring. The patient merely wears an ace bandage for 72 hours and takes a mild pain reliever, if needed. The only bed rest is for the remainder of the day of the procedure and that evening.
Laser Ablation. Laser ablation takes 1-2 sessions (depending upon the degree of involvement). The laser procedure - used for red spider veins only - takes approximately 45 minutes per session, and requires no advanced preparation or anesthesia. Following laser treatment, the patient can resume normal activities the same day.
Sclerotherapy. The great majority of patients have the combination of blue and red spider veins. While the Laser Ablation works on the red spider veins it cannot work on the blue veins. Sclerotherably is used only for the blue spider veins. To have complete and long lasting resolution, both sclerotherapy (blue "feeding" veins) and laser ablation (red/pink) need to be done in separate sessions at least 3 weeks apart
EVLT or the Closure ablation techniques are not used by us, because we focus on the cosmetic outcome. These procedures are limited in clearing of all the involved veins.
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