VenaSeal or cyanoacrylate is a medical glue used to seal the saphenous vein, the vein that runs down the inside of the leg from the foot to the groin.
Treatment of varicose veins with VenaSeal, what does it consist of?
The VenaSeal treatment seeks to seal the vein to eliminate the varicose vein. The first thing that is done is to locate the vein by Doppler ultrasound and, under local anesthesia, a small puncture is made and a catheter is introduced. Always under ultrasound vision, we advance the catheter to near the mouth of the saphenous vein in the deep veins. From there, by means of a sophisticated controlled release system, the VenaSeal is deposited along the entire length of the vein, gradually withdrawing the catheter to the place where it was introduced.
Advantages of VenaSeal over conventional surgery:
- It does not leave scars, bruises or stains. Sealing with cyanoacrylate does not cause traction or tearing of the veins, but only a release of glue inside so it does not leave marks.
- For this same reason, it does not damage the saphenous nerve that goes next to the vein, avoiding the typical corking that often occurs after conventional surgery.
- In addition, the entire treatment is performed under ultrasound vision, ensuring at all times the result and the patient does not require hospitalization, being able to go home walking as soon as the procedure is performed.
- As it has an immediate effect, no bandages or compression stockings are required.
Advantages of VenaSeal with respect to endovascular surgery (endovascular laser or radiofrequency):
- Since it is not a heat-emitting energy, the damage to the skin that radiofrequency or laser can potentially cause is not possible. Nor is it possible to transmit this heat to the saphenous nerve avoiding the discomfort described above.
- There are no hematomas or stains that can sometimes occur with thermal energies due to perforation or damage of the vein and therefore compression stockings are not necessary.
- As it is not a painful technique due to the heat, epidural or tumescent anesthesia (injection of anesthesia diluted in serum along the entire length of the vein) is not necessary during surgery.
- No postoperative period, the patient walks immediately after the intervention, and no rest or alteration in the patient’s daily activities is necessary, and he/she can even swim the day after the treatment. Therefore, it is a treatment especially indicated during the summer.
Advantages over chemical ablation techniques using Polidocanol foam or mixed mechanical-chemical techniques.
- The main reason is that the glue used has a formulation that prevents it from detaching from the vein once it comes into contact with it. With chemical ablation methods, either with liquid or foam, this is not possible, since due to the liquid composition they are diluted in the blood and are less controllable.
- Additionally, with chemical methods, compression stockings or uncomfortable bandages are necessary and there is the risk of unsightly spots on the skin that sometimes take a long time to disappear.
Can it be done on any type of varicose vein?
No. Like the other endovascular techniques, its indication is limited to the treatment of the saphenous vein. When this vein is not affected, I personally prefer treatment with microfoam or laser techniques, either endovascular if the size of the vein to be treated allows it or transcutaneous. In spider veins I use a combined technique of microfoam and transcutaneous laser that gives excellent results, is performed on an outpatient basis and allows the patient to continue with daily activities as soon as he/she leaves the office.
Is there any care to be followed after the treatment?
No special care is really necessary. As it is not a painful technique, it is not necessary to take anti-inflammatories or analgesics. Nor is it necessary to heal scars since it is performed by puncture. Nor is it necessary to wear compression stockings or limit physical activity. Even so, we always offer a 24-hour telephone and e-mail service to our patients to answer any questions during the postoperative period.
Is it an outpatient procedure?
Yes, the procedure does not require hospitalization. Personally, I prefer to perform it in the operating room or chiropractic room for sterility reasons. Therefore, the patient arrives at the hospital, changes, goes to the operating room, undergoes a Doppler ultrasound of venous marking, undergoes surgery and one hour later is leaving the hospital going about his or her daily life, without varicose veins and without compression stockings.
Are the results of VenaSeal definitive?
Yes, the results of studies carried out both in Germany and in the United States show that sealing with cyanoacrylate is at least as effective as alternative endovascular thermal energies, achieving success rates (complete sealing of the vein persisting over time beyond 2 years) of more than 98% after 2 years. It should be noted that this system is based on the use of cyanoacrylate for sealing cerebral aneurysms, a technique widely used for many years and with proven success over time.