Office Procedures-No Operating Room
Veins located close to the surface of the skin return blood that is low in oxygen to the heart. As people age, these veins may become stretched and distorted.
SYMPTOMS
Some of the symptoms of varicose veins may include:
- A change in the appearance of the skin on the calf or leg;
- The appearance of small clusters of veins on the leg;
- An ache or heavy feeling in the affected leg;
- A burning sensation in the affected leg;
- A restless feeling in the affected leg; and
- Night cramps.
Sclerotherapy: In sclerotherapy (chemical sclerosis), the physician injects a chemical substance into the affected veins to harden (sclerose) the veins from the inside out. The veins are no longer able to fill with blood and form a hardened cord, which breaks up naturally and is reabsorbed by the body.
Endovascular Ablation: In endovascular ablation (thermal or radio-frequency ablation), the tip of a catheter equipped with electrodes is inserted into an affected vein that has been exposed and pulled through an incision. These electrodes touch the inside of the vein wall, sending bursts of radiofrequency energy through the electrodes. The energy heats the vein walls and destroys the tissue along the length of the vein. The vein is then no longer able to carry blood, breaks up, and is reabsorbed by the body.
Small incision avulsion: Performed alone or in conjunction with vein stripping, small incision avulsion (vein removal) uses special hooks to pull the veins through many microincisions. The incisions are so small that they can be closed with adhesive strips.
