Do you experience discomfort, swelling or varicose veins?
If so, you may be suffering from superficial venous reflux disease.
Traditionally, patients diagnosed with venous reflux would undergo vein stripping surgery. Now, patients can be treated with the VNUS™ Closure procedure - a minimally invasive and more comfortable alternative to painful vein stripping surgery which can be performed under local anesthesia on a walk-in walk-out basis.
What is venous reflux disease?
Healthy leg veins contain valves that open and close to assist the return of blood to the heart. Venous reflux disease develops when the valves that keep blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart become damaged or diseased. As a result, the vein valves will not close properly, leading to symptoms of:
- Varicose veins
- Pain
- Swollen limbs
- Leg heaviness and fatigue
- Skin changes and skin ulcers.
Many factors contribute to the presence of venous reflux disease, including:
- Age
- Gender
- Family history
- Multiple pregnancies
- Obesity
- A standing profession.
Your vascular surgeon will use ultrasound to scan your leg(s) to determine if superficial venous reflux is present.
The VNUS™ Closure Procedure
The closure procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Using ultrasound, your consultant will position the closure catheter into the diseased vein through a small opening in the skin. The tiny catheter powered by radio-frequency (RF) energy delivers heat to the vein wall. As the thermal energy is delivered, the vein wall shrinks and the vein is sealed closed. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.
Following the procedure, a simple bandage is placed over the insertion site, and additional compression may be provided to aid healing. Patients who undergo the closure procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.
Procedural highlights include:
- Relief of symptoms
- Local or general anaesthesia
- Resume normal activities within 1-2 days
- Good cosmetic outcome with minimal or no scarring, bruising or swelling.
Your consultant will advise you if you are suitable for this procedure.
For more information, please download our patient information leaflet (pdf 1MB).