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At Yellowstone Vein Center, we are pleased to offer personalized attention and effective non-surgical vein treatment.
LASER THERMAL ABLATION
In this procedure, the refluxing (varicose) vein is accessed and a small laser fiber is introduced into the vein. This is advanced to the top of the refluxing segment, and after giving more local anesthesia (numbing medicine) around the vein, the laser is turned on and slowly withdrawn. The local heat generated by the laser seals the vein closed.
The procedure usually takes less than one hour, and typically provides immediate relief of symptoms. You may return to normal activity at once. Compression stockings must be worn for two weeks following the procedure. Some bruising and minor soreness is expected, usually treated with over the counter pain medications (such as Advil or ibuprofen).
As opposed to traditional surgical therapy, the procedure is virtually painless, and is performed though a small incision less than ΒΌ inch in size. Patients usually return to work the same day, instead of weeks of bed rest with traditional surgical therapy. Surgical therapy also has a relatively high recurrence rate, from 10% to 25%, as compared to less than 5% with laser therapy. Careful mapping of the venous anatomy prior to intervention also contributes to the effectiveness of the targeted therapy.
AMBULATORY PHLEBECTOMY
Many patients also benefit from having focused removal of large bulging veins just under the skin in the thigh and calf, usually done at the same time as the laser ablation. This is called ambulatory phlebectomy. Using small incisions (1/8 inch or less), these abnormal veins are removed though the skin under local anesthesia. If these large superficial veins are left in place, and closed by other means (such as sclerotherapy), there may be significant inflammation and skin discoloration.
Although in some patients this may be primary therapy, in most patients this is performed in conjunction with laser ablation of underlying refluxing veins. This is almost always done at the same time as the laser ablation.
SCLEROTHERAPY
Injection of a sclerosing solution will be recommended for spider veins and small to medium sized varicose veins. Although this requires multiple needle punctures, the discomfort is minimized by the small size of the needle.
For patients with resistant spider veins, multiple treatments may be required. As spider veins have a hereditary predisposition, treatment does not reduce the risk of having new spider veins develop. Periodic follow up treatments may be needed, at the discretion of the patient.
Ultrasound may be utilized to find abnormal veins when they are not immediately under the skin, to determine the length of the abnormal segment being treated, and to assess any connections to normal veins that they may have.
Learn more about spider vein treatment
Your familiarity with our forms prior to your treatment is worthwhile. Please take a moment to read over the forms before your visit. Click here: FORMS |
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