Varicose Vein Treatments ELAS - Laser Vein Closure
ELAS™ stands for Endoluminal Laser Ablation of the Saphenous Vein. It is a revolutionary
treatment for varicose veins that virtually eliminates the need for older surgical procedures
such as "leg vein stripping" or ligation operations. It is revolutionary because it can be
performed with the patient awake and able to walk home after. The ELAS™ is appealing to
patients and physicians because it eliminates much of the pain, bruising, discomfort and
complications of the surgical options and allows patients to go back to their normal
activities quickly. Click Here to Read More
VNUS Closure
VNUS Closure is a treatment for varicose veins that uses radiofrequency instead of a laser to close
the leaking valves that cause varicose veins. It is performed with the patient awake and able
to walk home after. VNUS CLosure is appealing to
patients and physicians because it eliminates much of the pain, bruising, discomfort and
complications of the surgical options and allows patients to go back to their normal
activities quickly. Click Here to Read Brochure
Microphlebectomies
This procedure is a method by which large varicose veins can be removed through small pinhole (Micro)
incisions. It is done under local anesthesia and is often combined with laser/radio frequency closure. No
sutures are used and there is minimal associated down time.
1470 Laser by Themolite
The 1470 Laser by Themolite was released in 2010. Lasers work by heating structures at certain wavelengths specific to each laser. For example - the 940 heats at a depth from the skin of940 microns. At this level blood is the target of the heat. The 1470 heats at a depth of 1470 microns from the skin. The target of the heat at this level is the water around the vein. The 940 works by heating the blood and vein wall to dissolve the vein. This can result in bruising along the treated vein, and, since it requires about 15 watts of energy to do this, there is resultant post procedure discomfort along the treated vein. The
1470, on the other hand, functions by heating the water in the tissue around the vein, leading to the vein being evaporated without destroying the vein wall. This, therefore, results in minimal post op bruising. Since only 4-5 watts of energy are required, there is minimal post procedure discomfort and patients can return to most normal activities within 24 hours.
Spider Vein Treatments
Cosmetic Sclerotherapy
Cosmetic Sclerotherapy is injection sclerotherapy with either foam or liquid to anywhere in the body excluding the legs. Areas include the face, nose, arms, chest, breasts, back, hands and feet.
Liquid Sclerotherapy
This method of treating spider veins uses a solution rather then foam. Glycerine is used for very small veins
and an alcohol based solutiion for larger veins. Once the veins are injected, elimination occurs over several
weeks. More than one treatment may be necessary. With all types of sclerotherapy performed at Vanish
Vein, special vein lights and magnifications help to make the treatment very specific and exact.
Foam Sclerotherapy
This is a method by which spider veins can be eradicated. No anesthesia is required. The procedure is the
current state of the art for spider vein elimination. A usual treatment takes about 20-30 minutes. The veins
are injected with a liquid solution which is converted into a foam (sort of like a shaving cream). The foam
then spreads throughout the spider veins. Over a few weeks, these veins will dissolve. Sometimes several
treatments may be necessary.
Additional Spider Vein Laser Treatments
We use many types of treatments for spider veins that are too small to be eradicated by sclerotherapy. The
Dornier 940 Diode Laser is excellent for small spider veins. The Polaris LV Diode Laser Radiofrequency
device is also used on very small spider veins as well as the Aurora SRA Pulsed Light Radiofrequency
System and the Ellman Micro Radiofrequency System.
Percutaneous Ultrasonic Directed Sclerotherapy
This is a specialized form of sclerotherapy using either liquid or foam in which the veins to be
treated are first identified by ultrasound, and then, using the ultrasound as a guide, the veins
are directly injected. This is an excellent procedure for recurrent varicose veins, perforating
veins, venous ulcers and difficult to treat saphenous and accessory veins. This procedure requires
only local anesthesia and has no associated downtime.
Closure of Perforating Veins
This office procedure is done usually with local anesthesia. The perforating veins which connect the
superficial saphenous vein system to the deep system are identified with a Doppler ultrasound, followed by
entering the vein with either a laser catheter, radio frequency catheter or sclerotherapy solution. The
perforating (connecting) veins are then treated and closed. This procedure is extremely useful in cases of
venous leg ulcerations, chronic venous changes and leg swelling.
Venous Stasis Ulcer Treatment
Venous stasis ulcers usually occur along the inner aspect of the leg around the ankle. They are associated
with brownish discoloration of the calf and ankles, swelling of the lower legs and clots in the deep veins.
There are many reasons for venous ulcers to form but, most commonly, they are due to leaking valves
(reflux) in the saphenous vein system or perforating vein system. This is usually treated by first performing
a comprehensive venous ultrasound, followed by sealing the leaking valves with a combination of
laser/radio frequency closure and/or ultrasonic directed perforator sclerotherapy. Frequently compression
bandages (Unna Boots) are applied to aid in healing. Less frequently a procedure called SEPS (subfascial
endoscopes perforator surgery) is done to tie the leaking perforator veins.
Hand/Skin Vein Treatments
Besides the face, the hands are an idication of aging. Within 24 hours Laser Hand Vein treatment
can remove unsightly veins to re-establish youthful appearing hands. This office procedure takes about
30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.
