This video shows the process to complete the treatment known as endovenous radio frequency ablation. The graphics in the video are incredibly easy to understand. You can see the various layers of tissue and understand the relative size of the vein.
A very small catheter is inserted into a varicose vein to be treated. The catheter has four directional prongs to contact all sides of the vein. Local anesthesia is used so the patient doesn’t feel any pain the treatment. Radio frequency waves are applied through heat to the end of the catheter. The vein walls react to the radio frequency waves by collapsing onto the catheter as its being removed. This effectively kills the vein that is being treated. It will slowly fade into the surrounding tissues of the leg.
Endovenous radio frequency treatment is a fairly common procedure but is slowly being replaced by EVLT, or endovenous laser therapy. The method using lasers is very similar but has a slightly higher success rate and is considered to be more comfortable for patients.
Treatment and therapy for spider veins, officially referred to as Telangiectasias, includes many of the same procedures as treatment of varicose veins. Although the two problems seem similar, spider veins are smaller than the veins affected by varicose veins. Spider veins are much more likely to affect areas around the face and neck, although they can appear anywhere. The spider web like appearance can be accompanied with a small level of discomfort, but they generally do not continue to get worse over time like varicose veins. There are a variety of treatments available, including home therapy and surgeries, but all cases do not need to be treated.
Home Based Therapy
Elevation of the affected area will generally provide short term relief for any soreness or discomfort caused by spider veins. In addition, wearing supportive stockings for affected areas on the legs will temporarily reduce swelling, especially in combination with regular doses of over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines. The consumption of a high fiber diet combined with exercise has been shown in some cases to reduce the appearance of spider veins, although most cases will require additional methods of treatment.
Intensive Non-Surgical Treatment
The most common treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy, which is a small injection of a solution into the affected veins. The injected medicine shrinks and closes the veins thereby reducing any swelling or visual appearance. Sclerotherapy is considered to have a 50-90% success rate and can be performed in a doctor’s office without anesthesia.
Endovenous radio frequency ablation is a medical procedure where the doctor uses a small catheter to pass electricity over the affected veins. It is more successful than sclerotherapy, but more complicated. It generally has an 85-90% success rate for spider vein treatment. About 10% of patients will suffer mild to moderate side effects which may include bruising and swelling for a short period of time.
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) has a higher rate of success than radio frequency at 95-100%. It uses laser treatment instead of electricity. It is considered to be more comfortable for patients and generally has fewer side effects.
Surgical Treatment
Generally spider veins are not severe enough to require surgical treatment. For sufferers, surgery should be the last option. Although surgery can be a successful treatment when combined with longer term therapy, the procedures (saphenous stripping and CHIVA) are fairly invasive and can leave significant scarring. Since spider veins are common on the face and neck, the procedures can be more complicated and the scarring can be more noticeable.
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Thursday, Mar. 26th 2009
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