Treatment for varicose and spider veins by vascular surgeons

How Successful is Sclerotherapy?
After several treatments, most patients can expect at least 80 percent improvement. However, fading is gradual. Total disappearance of spider veins is usually achieved.

Can Sclerotherapy Be Used on All Skin Types?
Yes. Although lighter skinned patients seem to respond better.

What Does The Sclerotherapy Procedure Feel Like?
The injections feel like small stings, similar to mosquito bites, and are not especially painful.

Are these veins necessary for circulation?
Though these blood vessels carry blood, they are abnormal and are not necessary, perform no useful function, and also can lead to painful thrombo phlebitis or significant bleeding.

Will Treated Veins Recur?
Larger veins and spider veins may recur. Or, it may seem that a previously injected vessel has recurred, when, in fact, a new spider vein has appeared in the same area. Since spider veins and varicose veins are genetically determined diseases, it is probable that problem veins will recur in some area. Most patients can expect an interval of 2 years or more before additional injections are necessary.

What Causes Varicose Veins?
Most often varicose veins are related to hereditary tendency, however, prolonged standing, trauma, obesity, pregnancy, birth control pills and post-menopausal hormone replacement can play important roles in the development of spider and varicose veins.

Can Spider Veins On Other Parts Of The Body Be Treated?
Spider veins occurring on the face or elsewhere may be treated.

Are There Treatment Methods For Spider Veins Other Than Sclerotherapy?
In some locations we offer both injection sclerotherapy and laser therapy. After a consultation, we can determine which type of treatment is best for your particular situation. Laser therapy is an effective treatment for spider veins that appear on the face.

How Do I Prepare For Sclerotherapy Treatment?
No particular preparations are required for spider vein sclerotherapy. Varicose vein treatment requires that you shave your legs and not use lotion prior to treatment. Wear loose fitting clothing the day of the procedure and eat as you normally would. You will be able to drive home and resume normal activity after the procedure.

What Can I Do After Varicose Vein Sclerotherapy Treatment?
After the procedure, a compression stocking will be applied that cannot be removed except on your follow-up visits. Cast protectors can be purchased to cover the stocking and allow you to shower. No limitations are placed on normal activities with your stocking in place. On occasion, temporary skin pigmentation changes may occur following sclerotherapy. Limited sun exposure or use of 30 SPF sunscreen is advised until this staining resolves.

How Do I Prepare For The Ligation Procedure?
Ligation is a surgical procedure usually done under local anesthesia in the office at the time of sclerotherapy. You can therefore eat normally, but discontinue taking any Aspirin or blood thinners three days before surgery. Please shave your legs and ligation site but do not apply lotion. Jewelry will have to be removed, so it is best to leave it at home. If local anesthesia is utilized, you will be able to drive youself to and from the procedure. The doctor may determine that this procedure should be performed as an outpatient procedure in the hospital. In that case, you will be given specific pre-operative instructions by the office nurse.

What Can I Do After Ligation Treatment?
No limitations are placed on normal activities. The incision needs to be kept dry until the stitch is removed, which is usually three days after your surgery. During this time you will need to sponge bathe. If dissolvable sutures are placed, the dressing can be removed in three days and you may begin showering. Some bruising around the incision line is normal. No pain medications are usually required or prescribed so please have an over-the-counter analgesic (such as Tylenol or Motrin) available at home to be used if needed.

What is the difference between LASE, and ELAS, or endovenous laser treatment?
LASE stands for Laser Assisted Saphenous Endo-ablation. LASE is a generic term used by Veintec to describe the laser procedure, ELAS and other acronyms refer to the same procedure but are copy written by individual laser manufacturers.

How much time should I take off if I’m having the LASE procedure?
The procedure takes about 1 hour, and is generally done without sedation, under local anesthesia. Patients can generally drive themselves home. The degree of disability for most patients is mild. Many are able to resume usual activities right away, most prefer to leave some leeway for a few days.

Does LASE hurt?
Tumescent anesthesia is used for the procedure and it is administered under ultrasound control. Pain is usually minimal. The second through fourth day are sometimes uncomfortable, but anti-inflammatory drugs, which we prescribe, are very effective.

What are the risks of LASE?
To date, Veintec clinics have a combined experience of nearly 2000 cases. There have been no instances of deep vein thrombosis, infection, nerve or arterial injury, or other serious medical problems. Temporary bruising, swelling,and discomfort are relatively common.

What can I expect to see right away?
The initial response to the procedure is variable. Some patients see a radical reduction in the size of their veins, while others note that their varices are less distended and feel better. In rare cases, there are no immediate changes. When this happens, it usually indicates that other communications between the superficial and deep systems of veins may be present. These will sometimes recede with time, or may be dealt with in the post-operative months.

What is the follow up schedule?
The follow up schedule may vary slightly, Typically patients will be seen at one week, six weeks, and three months post-op. Additional procedures such as mini-phlebectomy or sclerotherapy may be scheduled at that time, or sooner at the discretion of your physician.

What is mini-phlebectomy?
Mini-phlebectomy is a technique by which veins can be removed without scars. Tiny pinholes are made in the skin under local anesthesia and relatively long segments of veins can be removed through these pinholes. This technique may be used either as a primary treatment, as an adjunctive treatment to LASE or as other more definitive measures.

What is the disability following mini-phlebectomy?
The mini-phlebectomy is relatively pain-free. Most patients are able to drive themselves home from the procedure. Normal activities can be resumed at any time.

Will I have scars following mini-phlebectomy?
The pinholes generally heal without scars.

How will my treatment be determined?
Your doctor will evaluate your legs on your first visit. Sometimes ultrasound will be necessary to determine the state of your circulation. Good treatment involves dealing with all abnormalities and the more information the doctor has, the easier it is for him or her, to make the appropriate recommendation.

How are charges determined?
In general charges are based on time, and degree of difficulty and expertise that go into the treatment. You will receive an accurate estimate of the time and charges at your first visit.