Venous insufficiency can manifest itself in different ways, one of the most frequent being varicose veins. Varicose veins are pathological veins which, if not eliminated, can lead to complications (phlebitis, hemorrhages, ulcers, etc.). Small caliber veins may also appear, in the form of small clusters or bunches of red or violet color.
Main ways to eliminate varicose veins without surgery
There are different techniques or methods in Angiology and Vascular Surgery to eliminate varicose veins and small spider veins.
Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy to eliminate varicose veins consists of the introduction, in the diseased veins, of a chemical irritant or sclerosant of the endothelium or inner wall of the vein that has the function of sealing, fibrosing or drying the dilated venous ducts.
Sclerosis and subsequent closure of the vein can be produced by means of different products. This sclerosing foam is the result of mixing polidocanol, a sclerosant that has been used for more than 30 years, with a certain mixture of gases that generate a foam with very particular physical and chemical characteristics.
This treatment is applied to any type of insufficient vein using Doppler ultrasound, since it is possible to control the effect, distribution and behavior of the foam inside the vein.
Results of sclerosis in varicose veins
Sclerosis can eliminate practically any diameter of varicose veins. That is the great advantage of this type of treatment: from varicose veins or subcutaneous capillary veins to large varicose veins can be treated. Everything will depend on the concentration and volume of sclerosant used at any given time.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy with foam procedure
All sclerosing treatment against varicose veins is preceded by a visit with clinical history, physical examination and an Ecodoppler study.
This technique requires follow-up and control to ensure a satisfactory result, and does not require fasting or any specific preparation for it. After the treatment, the patient will be able to lead a completely normal life. At the end of each session an occlusive dressing is applied to the patient in the treated areas and sometimes it is advisable to associate a compressive therapy.
Minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins
There are also other treatments currently available that are very minimally invasive although they are usually performed in operating rooms. They are completely outpatient procedures and the type of anesthesia is local although mild sedation is administered so that the patient does not feel any discomfort. Some of these treatments are:
Venefit radiofrequency technique
Intravenous sclerosis of the saphenous vein is performed without removing the varicose vein. It is a minimally invasive procedure that applies heat inside the venous lumen producing the narrowing and fibrosis of the same. It is performed under local tumescent anesthesia on an outpatient basis. It can be performed alone to complete the treatment by sclerosis in the office or it can be associated with other techniques such as simple phlebectomy or sclerotherapy.
Results of radiofrequency on varicose veins
Radiofrequency produces a progressive disappearance of varicose veins and their reabsorption. The result obtained is usually spectacular since the veins disappear without leaving any trace or scars. Another advantage of this technique is that the patient does not have to alter his daily activity, no sick leave is necessary and all daily tasks can be performed.
Clarivein: Catheter sclerosis of varicose veins
This treatment consists of eliminating the reflux of the diseased vein by applying a sclerosing liquid through a totally painless rotating catheter that is progressively withdrawn along the vein to be treated. It is recommended that the patient wear an elastic stocking as a complement and walk normally from the same day of the intervention.
Another minimally invasive procedure is known as Endolaser treatment. In this case the heat source used to eliminate the varicose vein is administered by means of an optical fiber that channels light energy.
All these methods have in common the absence of wounds at the inguinal level and their outpatient nature. It is interesting that the professional masters several techniques to be able to adapt to each patient, since they allow to treat the pathology of varicose veins adapting to each case and selecting the most suitable treatment.