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25 FEB HER
Can Varicose Veins Be Sealed Without Heat?
Heat energy - either laser or radio-frequency - is often used to close painful and ugly varicose veins. The technique requires injections into the leg of large amounts of anesthetic, resulting in multiple needle sticks and a degree of pain, bruising and swelling after the procedure. Compression therapy is then continued for 2-3
 weeks to ensure effectiveness after treatment.
A new procedure VenaSeal, can now be used to seal the painful veins without heat, eliminating the need for
anesthetic and allowing for faster recovery. This new procedure has been shown in several studies to be as effective as lasers and radio-frequency treatments while offering the advantages of reduced bruising and immediate recovery without the need for extended compression therapy.
VenaSeal is applied in a 30 minute procedure using a hand-held dispenser to inject medical-grade glue into the great saphenous vein, a large vein that runs down the inside of the leg. After it is closed, blood then flows through remaining healthy veins. Since the glue reaches most of its strength in three minutes, it isn’t necessary to wear compression stockings to aid in healing and to minimize pain and swelling. Following the glue injections, patients can return immediately to normal activities.
Success of a varicose-vein treatment is measured by the percentage of treated vessels that are successfully closed after treatment. In a recent 220-person U.S. study, 97% of veins treated with VenaSeal remained closed a year after the procedure, this is identical to those treated with a more established radio-frequency procedure.
It is always necessary to discuss your specific procedural options with a trained professional to determine which treatment is appropriate. Diagnosis is achieved with a simple ultrasound evaluation performed in a vein center. The physician can immediately review the results and communicate his recommendation with you.
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