Vein Ablation

This minimally-invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using imaging guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter, about the size of a strand of spaghetti, into the vein and guides it up the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside of the vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed.

Reflux within the great saphenous vein leads to pooling in the visible varicose veins below. 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 diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg, re-establishing normal flow.

Benefits of Vein Ablation Treatment

• The treatment takes less than an hour and provides immediate relief of symptoms.
• Immediate return to normal activity with little or no pain. There may be minor soreness or bruising, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
• No scars or stitches - because the procedure does not require a surgical incision, just a nick in the skin, about the size of a pencil tip.
• High success rate and low recurrence rate compared to surgery.
• The success rate ranges for vein ablation ranges from 93 - 95 percent.

Before Vein Ablation, photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Min

After Vein Ablation, photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Min

Insurance

Many insurance carriers cover the vein ablation treatment, based on medical necessity for symptom relief.

Surgical Treatment of Veins

Traditionally, surgical ligation or vein stripping was the treatment for varicose veins, but these procedures can be quite painful and often have a long recovery time. In addition, there are high rates of recurrence with the surgical procedures. One study found a 29% recurrence rate after ligation and stripping of the greater saphenous vein, and a rate of 71% after high ligation. These recurrence rates are similar to those reported in other studies.

Conditions treated include Varicose Veins.