Part III

Welcome to our final blog in our 3-part series on treatment for varicose veins. Finally, we will look at the type of equipment used when performing the more invasive procedures and some of the new trends that are being discussed in this field of treatment.

To recap, the treatments generally performed are:

Radiofrequency Occlusion (VNUS Procedure) is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small catheter is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein and guided under ultrasound to the treatment site. The catheter delivers radio frequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat. As the vein warms, it collapses and seals shut.

Endovenous Laser Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein and guided to the treatment location under ultrasound. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut.

Endovenous Chemical Ablation is a common treatment method used to treat both varicose veins as well as abnormal veins well beneath the skin surface. Under ultrasound guidance a small gauge needle is inserted into the vein where a small amount of sclerosant is injected. The solution causes the treated vein to close. The vein is typically reabsorbed by the body in time.

Regardless of which procedure is utilized, ultrasound is used first to evaluate and diagnose the preliminary state of the vein, which enables the provider to determine which course of treatment to use on the patient. Ultrasound will be used again for guidance of catheter insertion, followed by the insertion of a laser fiber or radiofrequency electrode. When selecting ultrasound equipment for vein procedures look for units that have Doppler, color, needle visualization software and a high frequency linear transducer. Click here to learn more about the type of ultrasound equipment used by our customers. 

One recent study called "Cost and Effectiveness of Laser with Phlebectomies Versus Foam Sclerotherapy in Superficial Venous Insufficiency" revealed that foam treatment for veins is less expensive and twice as fast as traditional laser therapy. Additional developments include a California company, Sapheon, who received its European stamp of approval for its new technology that “uses an advanced proprietary medical adhesive and single-use catheter-based delivery system to immediately and permanently achieve vein closure without thermal ablation or sclerosing chemicals.”

To learn how United Medical Instruments, Inc. can assist your practice in adding endovenous procedures, contact us!