Vein Center - Treatments

Northwest Vein and Aesthetic Center offers several vein treatment options. You will be closely evaluated and a treatment plan that best meets your needs will be selected. Following a history and physical exam a venous ultrasound performed by a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) is generally required to formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Often the treatment of varicose veins is medically indicated. Before treatment, we will check with your insurance plan, if the treatment needed is a covered benefit.

•	Sclerotherapy	•	Laser Treatment of Spider Veins	•	Laser Ablation
•	Radio Frequency Occlusion	•	Mini - Phlebectomy	•	Ligation & Stripping
•	Follow-up Care	•	Foam Sclerotherepy	•	Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherepy
•	Venous Reflux Exam

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy (injections) can be used to treat small areas of varicose veins and spider veins. The procedure is simple. A tiny needle injects the veins with a medication that irritates the lining of the vein. Over a short time, in response to the irritation, the vein closes and is reabsorbed. The blood from the closed vein is routed to properly working veins, restoring correct circulation. Sclerotherapy relieves symptoms due to varicose and spider veins in most patients. With this procedure, veins can be dealt with at an early stage, helping to prevent further complication and unsightliness.

You may need to have one to several sclerotherapy sessions for any vein region and the number of injections varies per session. Generally, normal activities can be resumed after sclerotherapy. Medically prescribed support hose and/or bandages may need to be worn for one to several weeks to assist in resolution of the veins. The procedure, performed at the Northwest Vein & Aesthetics Center, usually causes only minimal discomfort. Bruising and pigmentation may occur after sclerotherapy. If bruising occurs it usually disappears within 1-2 weeks. Although pigmentation almost always fades, it can last for several months. Scarring and other complications are rare.

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Laser Treatment of Spider Veins

Laser treatment is used primarily in the treatment of the smallest spider veins or broken capillaries on the leg or face.

The laser emits a specific wavelength of high energy pulsed light, delivered in variable durations. After the energy passes through the skin, the light is absorbed by the red blood cells in the spider vein. The energy is then converted to heat, thereby injuring the vein wall. Within a few weeks the spider vein seals and disappears from site.

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Laser Ablation - CTEV /EVLT

There are several endovenous lasers being used in the treatment of varicose veins. At Northwest Vein and Aesthetic Center we currently have two different laser systems to choose between, allowing us to select the best options for your individual needs. The endovenous laser ablation is a minimally invasive treatment performed in an office setting under local anesthesia. It is an alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein and CLOSURE® . Using ultrasound, a small catheter is inserted, usually through a needle puncture in the skin into the damaged vein. The laser fiber is then inserted into the vein. Dr. Nordestgaard then numbs the vein and turns on the laser. Its targeted energy heats and seals the vein shut. This procedure usually takes less than one hour. Frequently the laser ablation procedure is combined with the mini- phlebectomy. Afterwards a compression bandage is applied to the leg and you will be up and walking immediately following the procedure and ready to resume normal activities.

For more information about laser ablation visit the web: www.CoolTouch.com or www.VenaCureEVLT.com

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Radio Frequency Occlusion

(VNUS Closure®)

At Northwest Vein and Aesthetic Center, we are pleased to offer the VNUS Closure® procedure, in addition to other treatment modalities for the comprehensive management of venous disease. Like the laser ablation it is a minimally invasive ambulatory treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater or lesser saphenous vein. Under ultrasound guidance a small catheter is inserted, usually through a needle puncture in the skin, into the damaged vein. After local anesthesia has been placed around the vein, the catheter is activated and slowly pulled back through the diseased vein. As the catheter is withdrawn, it delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall causing collagen to shrink and the vein to close. Following the procedure, the catheter is removed and a bandage or compression stocking is placed on the treated leg. Like the laser ablation procedure the VNUS Closure® procedure may be combined with a mini-phlebectomy procedure.

For more information about VNUS Closure® Procedure visit www.VNUS.com

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Mini - Phlebectomy

Mini phlebectomy is a method of removing varicose veins on the surface of the legs. It is done in the office under local anesthesia. This procedure involves making tiny punctures or incisions through which the varicose veins are removed. The incisions are so small no stitches are required. Even though the varicose veins may look large when patients are standing, they are very collapsible making it possible to remove them through small incisions. The patient is able to walk immediately following the procedure. After treatment, a compression bandage and/or a compression stocking are worn for up to 2 weeks.

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Follow-up Care

You will return to the office in 3-4 days following the laser/ VNUS Closure® procedure for an ultrasound exam. At this time, the compression wrap will be removed. You will continue to wear your compression stocking usually for a total of 2 weeks following the procedure. In 4 weeks you will return to the office and if reqired, some follow up injections will be performed. If there are deeper veins involved, these will be treated with ultrasound guided injections.

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Ligation and Stripping

This surgery is now rarely performed, but when required, the most modern form of ligation and stripping procedures is performed in the hospital or surgery center. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes less than one hour. Patients return home approximately two hours later and to normal activities within a few days to a week.

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If you have any further questions or need more information, please call the Northwest Vein & Aesthetic Center at
(253) 857-VEIN (8346)