Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the standard treatment for small varicose and spider veins. A sclerosing solution is injected into the vein. The vein becomes irritated, collapses and is gradually absorbed by the body. It is very common for the vein to appear darker and more visible immediately after the injection session. Compression hose-Prescription-strength compression stockings will enhance the results of treatment and reduce potential side effects. This process causes a gradual fading of the treated vessel over a period of several weeks to several months. The legs, ankles, feet, breast and hand small varicose veins and spider veins are usual treatment locations.

The needles used for the injections are as fine as your hair and typically not painful. Most patients agree that sclerotherapy is less painful then laser treatment. Since a solution is injected along the length of the vein, a large treatment area can be performed during one session. In the past, the pain associated with this therapy was not the injections but rather due to the solutions utilized. With today's newer medications there is no pain from the solutions. Certain medications can be foamed to increase their effectiveness.

The most important reason why sclerotherapy is still the gold standard for leg vein treatment is that you can treat the entire vein and the underlying skin veins known as reticulars, which feed the spider veins on your legs. This is analagous to removing the branches on a tree rather than just the leaves. This results in more durable results and a longer time before recurrence. To see the underlying veins a high power painless fiberoptic light is used to help guide the injections.

These underlying reticular veins often cannot be seen by the naked eye and therefore a laser beam, resulting in inadequate results with laser. By the end of the treatment program, the veins are not visible on the skin surface. Sclerotherapy is most effective on smaller surface veins, less than 1-2mm in diameter.

Click here to read an in-depth article on Sclerotherapy authored by Dr. Dietzek

Laser Ablation of Spider Veins

Laser technology allows us to treat spider veins on the face and legs. It is especially good for spider veins on the face and areas of very small and matted spider veins on the legs. The unsightly veins on the face tend to be red skinny lines on the nose and cheeks which respond nicely to lasers. The laser beam can easily be aimed at these tiny spots and achieve good results.

VNUS Closure®

VNUS Closure® is a minimally invasive alternative to vein stripping for the treatment of symptomatic varicose veins and its common underlying cause, venous reflux. Instead of surgically removing the diseased vein, called stripping, the Closure procedure delivers heat through radio frequency (RF) energy via a catheter in the abnormal vein. This destroys the lining of the vein and causes the collagen in the wall of the vein to shrink and result in closure of the vein. A dilute mixture of lidocaine and saline are injected to numb the leg and protect the surrounding tissue. Ultrasound imaging is used to locate the treatment site, guide the catheter and confirm that the vein has been fully closed.

After the procedure, blood is naturally re-routed through other, healthier veins in the body. Closure offers benefits over vein stripping and other treatment methods such as faster treatment and recovery time, less discomfort during and after the procedure, and little or no scarring, bruising or swelling. Closure is performed under local anesthesia in as little as 45-60 minutes. Typically patients return to their normal activities in 24 hours.

By closing the abnormal functioning vein you improve venous circulation in the leg.

With the largest and most substantial body of clinical data and published results of any endovenous treatment, the VNUS Closure procedure means you can be confident that you will be receiving a proven, minimally-invasive treatment. The doctors of the Vein & Vascular Institute have performed well over a thousand of these procedures. Dr. Dietzek is the national course co-director to teach the VNUS Closure® procedure to physicians.

Click here to see the patient education video (broadband connection preferred).

  Patient Testimonials - Patient 1, Patient 2, Patient 3, Patient 4

Microphlebectomy

Varicose veins, even very large ones, can be removed by an office procedure called microphlebectomy or also known as ambulatory phlebectomy. A series of small incisions, 2-3mm, are made after a dilute local anesthesia solution is injected into the area. A fine instrument is inserted through the small opening to grasp the vein. The varicosity is teased from the surrounding tissues and removed. No sutures are needed for the tiny incisions. An ace wrap and a compression stocking are worn for a few days. Return to normal activities is expected within 24 hours.