Venous Disease
The veins are the blood vessels that return blood to the heart. Patients with disease of the veins can develop a variety of problems that are not usually associated with risks to the patients life or limb, but which can result in aching, swelling, skin discoloration and ulceration known as Venous Stasis Changes which may force changes in lifestyle. Alternatively, venous disease may cause cosmetic problems such as varicose and spider veins. The Vein Care Institute evaluates and treats both cosmetic and non-cosmetic venous problems.
Venous Insufficiency: When the valves in the deep or superficial veins become incompetent the result is refluxing of blood. This may cause swelling, aching, skin discoloration, varicose veins and venous ulcerations. When the saphenous or superficial veins are affected the VNUS® Closure® procedure is used for treatment. If the deep veins are the cause for symptoms, a new technique that involves a "telescope-like" instrument and a few small incisions, the culprit veins can be ligated. This procedure, called a "SEPS," can result in long-term healing of the ulcers and the patients can return normal activities within a short period of time.
Varicose and Spider Veins: Small varicose and spider veins can be treated with sclerotherapy - injections with a detergent type agent. Larger varicose veins can be removed though a minor surgical procedure. This operation, ambulatory microphlebectomy, is usually done on an outpatient basis in the office, using small incisions that do not require stitches for closure. Healing can occur with a tiny, almost invisible sear and patients can be back to their usual level of activity within just a few days.
