Larger Varicose Veins of Legs.

If varicose veins are caused by reflux into and from the greater saphenous vein, the reflux must be stopped or the varicose veins will never be properly eliminated. At California Vein Specialists, we utilize both non-surgical techniques available today for proper treatment.

Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Saphenous Vein

Rather than cutting the incompetent vein out as performed during vein stripping, or cutting into the groin to tie off the leaking saphenofemoral valve (which is associated with an unacceptably high rate of recurrent varicose veins), the saphenous vein may be closed by inserting a very thin laser filament through a skinny needle near the knee. This requires only local anesthetic identical to the numbing medicine used to repair a laceration or to fill a tooth cavity. Using ultrasound guidance, the laser filament is passed up the leg to the upper thigh. After carefully confirming the proper position of the laser fiber, the vein is closed by activating the laser – this process takes less than 3 minutes. Generally the entire procedure takes less than 45 minutes to perform, and is performed comfortably in our office, with no general anesthesia. 5 minutes after the procedure, you will be up and walking normally. Most of our patients undergoing this procedure return to work the same day. A compression stocking is worn for only 3 to 5 days to insure that the vein, which is immediately sealed by the laser tip, stays closed,

Ultrasound Guided Microfoam Ablation of the Greater Saphenous Vein

The other treatment of choice for eliminating significant varicose veins and manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency involves an injection of a very safe liquid, a process called sclerotherapy. In this technique, the solution is made into bubbly foam, and then expertly injected into the offending varicose vein, which has been first outlined precisely by an ultrasound examination. The bubbles stick to the walls of the leaking vein, injuring the veins walls, and causing the body to dissolve the vein “naturally”. The foam is contained within the bad veins under direct ultrasound visualization by compressing the leaking valve. The incidence of blood clots, or deep venous thromboses, following this foam injection technique is much less than that following surgical vein removal.

This method requires neither general nor local anesthetic, and can be performed in less than 10 minutes. An extremely small needle is used, similar to an insulin needle. After having the foam injection technique, our patients get up off the table, and can walk home or return directly to work. Many of our patients report an immediate improvement of the pain in their legs they have experienced for years. The physicians at California Vein Specialists have treated over thousands of patients successfully with these techniques while experiencing a close to 100% patient satisfaction rate. Generally, a compression stocking is worn on the treated leg for 2-4 weeks following ultrasound guided Microfoam sclerotherapy.