Vein and Laser Center of Elgin Cardiac Surgery

Endovenous ablation is a minimally invasive alternative to the traditional ligation and stripping treatment of varicose veins. Varicose veins are a common medical condition involving diseased veins, usually in the leg. As blood pools in the legs, the walls of the veins distend, until the veins appear raised and twisted under the skin. For some individuals, varicose veins present only a cosmetic problem. If the condition worsens, however, varicose veins can become painful and even dangerous and medical intervention may become necessary.

Spider veins are tiny blue or red veins on the surface of the skin that look like they could have been drawn on with a fine marker. Some people have slightly larger surface veins called reticular veins which bulge up slightly from the skin. While unsightly, most of the time these veins do not cause pain or other problems. Occasionally, people get bleeding from reticular veins, especially around the feet on ankles. Treatments We offer two types of treatments for Spider and Reticular Veins. Cosmetic Sclerotherapy In Cosmetic Sclerotherapy a dilute chemical solution is injected into the spider vein using a very fine needle. This causes irritation to that vein which causes it to shrivel up and disappear. Sclerotherapy has proven to be a safe procedure and is performed outpatient in the doctor’s office. Typically, sclerotherapy is performed in less than an hour, although a varying number of injections may be required, depending on the number of veins involved. Patients do not require an anesthetic and usually report little or no discomfort during the procedure, only a mild burning sensation. In some instances, several sclerotherapy treatments may be necessary. Patients are able to return home shortly after sclerotherapy. Most can return to work and resume normal activities the next day. Vein Gogh VeinGogh is the easy way to reliably treat cosmetically unacceptable conditions of telangiectasia (tangled thread-like veins) and spider veins. VeinGogh can safely treat any skin type, including tanned skin. Vein Gogh treats spider veins with heat energy using a hair thin probe. The probe is inserted just beneath the surface of the skin but without piercing the vessel itself. Tiny vessels will be destroyed and disappear quickly. *Most procedures take less than 20 minutes to perform, and no bandages are required following the procedure.** You will see immediate results and also see continuous improvement over several weeks as the treated vessels are reabsorbed. It is often used in conjunction with Sclerotherapy. * Individual results may vary ** Individual results may vary Most treatments for Spider and Reticular Veins are considered cosmetic and therefore are not covered by insurance. Sclerotherapy Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to treat varicose and spider veins, most commonly found on the legs, by collapsing them through the use of a solvent. Sclerotherapy has been used on patients since the 1930s with great success, producing increasingly effective medical, as well as cosmetic, results.

For people who have bulging veins on the surface of their legs (varicose veins), an Endovenous Ablation alone is often not enough to take care of the problem. Although smaller surface veins may regress, larger surface veins will generally not resolve with Endovenous Ablation alone. For people who have varicose veins, a Microphlebectomy is frequently necessary. Microphlebectomy Procedure In the Microphlebectomy procedure, the bulging surface veins are anesthetized with local anesthesia. Then tiny nicks are made over the veins bulging veins and removed with a tiny crochet hook. Unlike the old fashioned vein stripping procedure, these nicks, for most patients, result in minimal pain and swelling. Recovery From Microphlebectomy Some bruising, discomfort and swelling are to be expected after a Microphlebectomy. Swelling and pain can be minimized with compression garments and over-the-counter pain medications, and are usually only temporary. **Patients will be able to walk and carry on with normal activities immediately after the procedure, though they will have to wear compression stockings for about ten days. They can usually return to work the next day, although exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for about two weeks. **Individual results may vary

Compression therapy is a simple and effective means of decreasing pooling of blood in the lower limbs. Compression stockings are generally made from elastic, and once put on allow for graduated support to begin at the ankle and working its way up the leg. This provides external support, which decreases swelling and helps prevent chronic leg fatigue and heaviness. For people with venous disease, compression therapy is especially important. For people with varicose veins, wearing proper compression can help prevent clots in veins (phlebitis) and decrease skin damage. For people with wounds on the legs (ulcers), compression therapy is essential to helping the legs heal. Most Insurance Companies, Including Medicare, Require That a Person Try Wearing Compression Stockings Before Any Venous Procedure Is Done. Compression stockings CAN be dangerous in some circumstances, however. If the arteries are blocked and blood is not getting into the legs and feet, wearing compression stockings can make this worse. Evaluation by a clinician prior to beginning compression therapy should be considered for anyone in whom artery circulation is a concern. The Vein and Laser Center offers a variety of compression stockings and wraps for sale at various price levels.