Varicose Veins

Healthy veins have one-way valves to ensure blood flows in one direction, towards the heart. When valves fail or leak, the blood flows backwards causing it to pool in the veins. The increased pressure from the pooling stretches the vein, causing enlarged, twisted blood vessels. The resulting lumpy, rope-like veins are varicose veins.

While some varicose veins only pose a cosmetic problem, some cases may cause substantial discomfort and health complications. Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to swelling, increased pain, skin discoloration and ulcerations of the lower legs. These ulcerations are difficult to treat and can become easily infected and painful. Many of these symptoms and complications can be prevented by early treatment of varicose veins.

Treatment Options

Many people living with varicose veins do not seek treatment. That’s because varicose veins are often thought of as just a cosmetic problem. Those who suffer from pain and heaviness in their legs, however, know differently. The good news is that there are minimally-invasive treatment options available for varicose veins and CVI.

Trivex

Trivex is a transilluminated powered phlebectomy system that allows for removal of large clusters of varicosities through fewer incisions. The Trivex procedure uses a thin lighted wand inserted under the skin to illuminate the veins, while a second minimally invasive instrument is used to remove the varicosities. This procedure is performed in the operating room with anesthesia.

Micro-Phlebectomy

In the case of varicose veins, micro punctures are placed over the course of the bulging vein. Through these, segments of the large varicose veins are able to be removed while the remainder of the varicosity will decompress and eventually be absorbed. The micro punctures are closed with Band-Aids and you will return home the same day with minimal limitations over the following 24 hours. Cosmetic results are excellent.

Venous Stent

In some instances, patients may experience symptoms resulting from compression of the pelvic veins that carry the venous blood from the lower extremity (May-Thurner syndrome). In this instance, the patient would undergo a minimally invasive venogram to further evaluate this vein with intravascular ultrasound. In the case of a significant venous compression, a stent would be deployed to reopen this vein to its true size. The patient would be monitored for a short period following the procedure and would return home the same day with minimal limitations over the following 24 hours.

EVLA

Similar to ClosureFast radiofrequency ablation, Endovenous Laser Ablation is an in office minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia to close malfunctioning veins from the circulation. A small needle is used to access the targeted vein, and ultimately a sheath is placed to deliver the laser fiber. Once the fiber is in place, energy in the form of heat is used to damage the collagen of the vein causing the vein to collapse and seal. The blood that was previously flowing through this poorly functioning vein is now rerouted into healthy veins that will return the blood more efficiently. A Bandaid is placed over the access site. The procedure usually lasts ~ 30 minutes and the patient can return to work the next day if needed.

Varithena

Varithena Foam Sclerotherapy works very similarly to traditional liquid sclerotherapy. In most cases, it is used for veins larger than spider veins (reticular veins and varicose veins). The FDA approved sclerosant medication (Polidocanol) is mixed with air in a syringe to transform it into foam. In the case of Varithena, this foam arrives in its inject-able form and does not require mixing in the office. This foam is then injected into the vein using a tiny needle. The mixture will irritate the walls of the veins, causing it to close down. Your body will then dissolve the treated vein over time. Some patients require more than one foam sclerotherapy session. The number of sessions will depend on the size, location and number of veins present.

Highlights of Procedures:

Relief of symptoms
Resume normal activity within a day
Outpatient procedure
Local anesthesia
Good cosmetic outcome with minimal to no scarring, bruising or swelling

For a consultation with one of the board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons, call or request an appointment online with the Vein Center of Louisiana. The practice serves those in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria and the surrounding areas.

What is venous insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is a condition that occurs when the valves of the veins in the legs do not close properly. The veins in your leg bring blood back to the heart in a one-way direction, the valve would open to allow blood through and close to prevent blood from flow backward. When the valves don’t close properly, blood can flow back to your foot which can lead to swelling and ulcer.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins mostly occur in your legs due to weakened or damage to the valves. Varicose veins usually are very visible under the skin and get larger when standing for a long time. Varicose veins can cause pain and swelling to the legs.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are very small veins that appear on the legs, especially in the thigh and calf, that look like spider webs on the skin. Spider veins are usually do not cause any symptoms.

What are reticular veins?

Reticular veins are slightly larger veins than spider veins that occur usually on the thigh or calf. It can cause bleeding if cut or during shaving. It can also cause pain.

How do I prevent venous insufficiency?

Activities that can help with preventing venous insufficiency including moving around intermittently, no sitting or standing for prolonged period of times. Do not wear restricted clothing. Regular excise and heart healthy diet

What is an endovenous ablation?

Endovenous ablation is a procedure perform to close off disease veins in the leg without surgery. The procedure involves accessing the vein with a needle and catheter to introduce heat to the vein to close the vein.

How does the VenaSeal Closure work?

Venaseal Closure is procedure perform to close the disease vein in the leg. The procedure involves accessing the vein with a needle and introducing a catheter into the disease vein to administer a medical glue to close the vein.

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a physician accesses a small vein in the leg to inject medication into the vein to close the vein.

How does compression therapy work?

Compression therapy work by provide compression to the calf or leg to improve the return of the blood to the heart. This especially helpful for patient with venous insufficiency in which the valves in the veins do not close all the way.

What is a stab phlebectomy?

Stab phlebectomy is a surgical procedure in which a physician made a small incision on the leg to remove the disease veins in the leg.

What is the down time following vein procedure?

Patients take the day of the procedure to rest and do normal light activities and can resume normal activities the next day.

What is May-Thurner Syndrome and how is it treated?

May-Thurner Syndrome is the compression of the vein in the pelvic from the crossing artery. Usually happen to the left lower extremity. Usually May-Thurner Syndrome causes swelling to leg to the narrowing of the vein or clotting of the veins.

Treatment of May Thurner usually required removal of clots in the vein if clot develop and ballooning of the narrowing of the vein and possible stenting of the vein.

What is Nutcracker Syndrome and how is it treated?

Nutcracker Syndrome is a compression of the left renal (kidney vein) between the aorta (larger artery in the abdomen) and superior mesenteric artery (artery of the bowel). Compression of the left renal vein can use flank pain on the left side and blood in the urine.

Treatment of Nutcracker Syndrome start with a venogram to confirm the diagnosis of Nutcracker syndrome. The gold standard treatment is surgery to move the vein to relieve the compression.