Varicose Veins

Minimally invasive varicose vein treatment

Varicose vein disease is common, and may result in mild cosmetic changes in the legs. Varicose veins are enlarged and twisting veins, often appearing blue or dark purple, and can be painful as well as unsightly. They occur when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to flow in the wrong direction or to pool.

Spectrum’s VIR specialists offer several treatments designed to address specific types of varicose veins:

• Sclerotherapy: A tiny needle is placed into small spider veins. An irritating solution called a sclerosant is injected, irritating the veins and causing them to swell. This cuts off blood flow, causing the vein to shrink.
• Microphlebectomy: This outpatient procedure uses small hooks to remove large varicose veins close to the skin surface. It’s performed under local anesthetic, requires no stitches, and is effective and long-lasting.
• Ultrasound-guided schlerotherapy: This method is used to treat deeper veins not seen or felt at the skin surface. Using ultrasound guidance, a tiny needle is placed into the deeper problem veins and a liquid sclerosant injected, causing them to swell then shrink.
• Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT): After applying a local anesthetic, the VIR specialist uses ultrasound guidance to place a thin catheter into the varicose vein(s). Laser energy then heats the vein from the inside and seals it closed. Blood flow is diverted to other healthy veins, and the surface varicose veins disappear. 

Questions?

If you would like to know more about any of these procedures or schedule a consultation, simply call our Vascular & Interventional Radiology office at 207.956.6650.