What is the purpose of the treatment of varicose veins with radiofrequency and foam?
Varicose veins are caused by venous insufficiency due to dilatation of the internal saphenous vein or external saphenous vein, resulting in a permanent blood reflux effect. The purpose of the treatment is to seal this reflux, to close it without having to eliminate the vein.
What is the treatment of varicose veins with radiofrequency and foam?
We access the inside of the vein through a small wound of 2 mm, we introduce a tiny catheter and make it travel inside the vein to the point of origin of the venous insufficiency, which is usually at the level of the saphenous-femoral arch or the saphenous-pupliteal arch. At that point we begin to treat the vein from the inside by means of heat. The catheter closes the intima, which is the innermost layer of the vein, through heat, and as we treat the vein, we close and withdraw the catheter along the entire length of the vein. In addition, to avoid extracting other branches, we add an injection of a substance in the form of foam called polidocanol. With this technique we manage to treat the entire length of the internal or external saphenous vein with practically no scars, and eliminate the branches that are tributary or collateral through the effect of the foam.
How does it differ from the traditional technique?
This technique offers to eliminate all varicose veins without having to remove them from the body, that is, the controlled injury that we produce on the vein causes a progressive retraction of the same that is fibrosing (reducing the size) and drying until it disappears.
What type of anesthesia will be used?
The puncture site is done under local anesthesia, the patient could be perfectly awake. Sometimes for the patient’s comfort we choose the use of sedation. This consists of the injection of a drug that allows the patient to be calmer and more relaxed during the treatment.
Are there any risks or side effects?
We cannot say that there are specific risks associated with this technique, but they are the risks of any varicose vein treatment technique, such as venous thrombosis, i.e. the appearance of a clot in the venous system. There are other very specific cases of very thin patients where it may happen that the catheter used causes inflammation around the vein and that could be a little more annoying than with the conventional technique, i.e. is to tear the vein from the body. In general, the type of complications is similar to any other technique used for the removal of varicose veins.
What results can be expected?
Once we eliminate the varicose veins it is convenient to make annual controls. It is understood as a correct result that out of every 100 people, in 25-30% of cases, patients may have new varicose veins. The advantage of combining a less aggressive technique such as sclerosis with foam, is that in this case, in 25-30% of patients, we can avoid with a simple injection of this product that varicose veins go to more.
When can I resume my normal activities after the treatment?
The great advantage of this technique is that, as the aggression is minimal, normal life can be carried out the following day. In the case of violent efforts, such as vigorous running, it is recommended to postpone it two or three weeks after the treatment.