Vein Center

Varicose veins are a vascular condition. They can cause leg pain, swelling and itching. When that happens, varicose veins are no longer a cosmetic problem, but a health problem.

Our friendly staff and vascular surgeons will treat your varicose veins expertly, quickly and safely, with minimal discomfort and little downtime. We use Endovenous Radiofrequency Closure to treat varicose and spider veins.

Understanding Venous Reflux Disease

Healthy leg veins contain valves that open and close to assist the return of blood back to the heart. Venous reflux disease develops when the valves that keep blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart become damaged or diseased. As a result, vein valves will not close properly, leading to symptoms of:

• Varicose veins
• Pain
• Swollen limbs
• Leg heaviness and fatigue
• Skin changes and skin ulcers

Superficial venous reflux disease is progressive - symptoms will worsen over time if left untreated.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are stretched, swollen veins that surface when the valves do not close completely and a significant amount of blood pools behind the valves. As the amount of pooled blood increases, the walls of the veins weaken. The dilation or ballooning of the veins can occur anywhere from the ankle to the groin. In addition to being unattractive, this condition can result in pain, swelling, itching, night cramps, skin discoloration and breakdown.

Spider Veins

Spider veins are the least serious and the most common vein disorder. Spider veins are essentially smaller versions of varicose veins. Spider veins commonly appear during and after pregnancy as a small red or purple cluster of veins that are near the skin's surface. Depending on how large or dark they are, they may appear unattractive, but generally do not cause much discomfort.

Endovenous Radiofrequency

The Vein Center uses Endovenous radiofrequency using the VNUS Closure system to treat varicose veins. This minimally invasive surgical procedure uses radiofrequency to close the saphenous vein in the leg. A small catheter containing a radiofrequency is utilized to close the vein. The entire procedure can be done in less than two hours and requires only local anesthesia. Following this procedure there is significant improvement in symptoms and appearance of varicose veins. This procedure causes little or no side effects and has been shown to be highly effective in long term studies.

Experience the Closure Procedure

The Closure procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Using ultrasound, your physician will position the Closure Catheter into the diseased vein, through a small opening in the skin. The tiny catheter delivers radio-frequency (RF) energy to the vein wall. As the RF energy is delivered and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.

Following the procedure, a simple bandage is placed over the insertion site, and additional compression may be provided to aid healing. Your doctor may encourage you to walk, and to refrain from extended standing and strenuous activities for a period of time. Patients who undergo the Closure procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.

Comparing the Closure procedure to vein stripping surgery, the patient:

• Experienced less post-operative pain and bruising
• Resumed normal activities within one day
• Returned to work more than a week earlier than vein stripping patients

Adjunctive Treatments

To achieve good cosmetic outcome, many physicians choose to provide adjunctive treatment(s) either at the same time or following the Closure procedure. To address visible varicosities, ambulatory phlebectomy may be performed. To treat purple or red "spider veins", your physician may perform sclerotherapy. Through these procedures, diseased and noticeable veins are removed or collapsed, to improve the cosmetic appearance of your legs.

Are You A Candidate?

Many factors contribute to the presence of venous reflux disease, including:

• Age
• Gender
• Family history
• Multiple pregnancies
• Obesity
• Standing profession

Using ultrasound to scan your leg(s), your physician will determine if superficial venous reflux is present. Speak with your physician about determining your candidacy for the Closure procedure.

Want to schedule an appointment?

Before the procedure can be scheduled a private consultation with one of our board-certified vascular surgeons is necessary. Our vascular surgeons will determine if these treatments are right for you, recommend a plan, answer all of your questions and discuss involved costs as well as insurance reimbursement. To schedule an appointment at Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgical Associates please call 352-291-2400.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Closure procedure painful?

A: Patients report feeling little, if any, pain during and after the procedure.

Q: How quickly can I resume normal activity?

A: Patients are walking immediately following the procedure, and patients typically resume normal activities within one day.

Q: How soon will my symptoms improve?

A: Many patients notice an immediate relief of symptoms such as pain, leg heaviness and fatigue. The full benefits of the procedure may take 1-2 weeks.

Q: Is there any scarring, bruising, or swelling after the procedure?

A: Patients report minimal to no scarring, bruising, or swelling following the Closure procedure.

Q: How is the Closure procedure different from vein stripping?

A: During vein stripping, incisions are made in the groin and calf, and a stripper tool is threaded through the diseased vein, to pull the vein out of the leg. With the Closure procedure, only one small puncture is made at the insertion site and the vein is then closed and left in place. This minimally invasive approach eliminates pain and bruising associated with vein stripping surgery.

Q: What if I need the vein for bypass surgery in the future?

A: The Closure procedure treats diseased veins only, which are not appropriate for bypass surgery. Physicians can use other healthy vessels should bypass surgery be necessary.

Q: Is the VNUS Closure procedure covered by insurance?

A: Most major health insurers cover the Closure procedure. Your physician can discuss your coverage further at the time of the consultation.

For more information, you can log onto www.vnus.com