Varicose Vein Surgery

If you experience discomfort, swelling and varicose veins, you may be suffering from superficial venous reflux disease.

Approximately 25 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. 

About Venous Reflux Disease

Healthy leg veins contain valves that open and close to help the return of blood back to the heart. Venous Reflux Disease develops when the valves that keep blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart become damages or diseased. As a result vein valves will not close properly.

Symptoms may include: varicose veins, pain, swollen limbs, leg heaviness/fatigue, skin changes and/or skin ulcers. An ultrasound to scan your leg(s) will help determine if Venous Reflux Disease is present.

How Venous Reflux Disease Can Be Treated

Patients can be treated with the VNUS Closure procedure – a minimally invasive alternative to painfully vein stripping surgery.

About the VNUS Closure Procedure

The VNUS Closure procedure treats venous reflux disease in the superficial venous system, often the cause of painful varicose veins. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.  Patients who undergo the VNUS Closure procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.

How the VNUS Closure Procedure Works

Using ultrasound, the physician will position the closure catheter into the diseased vein through a tiny opening in the skin. The closure catheter delivers radio frequency energy to the vein wall. As this energy is delivered and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.

Venous Reflux Disease is progressive – symptoms will worsen over time if left untreated.

Venous Reflux Disease Factors

• Age, gender
• family history
• multiple pregnancies
• obesity
• standing profession

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the VNUS Closure procedure painful?
A: Patients had said that they feel little, if any, pain during and after the procedure. 

Q: How quickly can I resume my normal activities?
A: Patients are typically walking immediately following the procedure and patients typically resume normal activities within a day.

Q: How soon will my symptoms improve?
A: Most patients notice an immediate relief of symptoms such as pain, leg heaviness and fatigue. The full benefits of the procedure may take 1 to 2 weeks.

Q: Is there any scarring, bruising, or swelling after the procedure?
A: Patients report minimal to no scarring, bruising, or swelling after the VNUS Closure procedure. 

Q: How is the VNUS Closure procedure different from vein stripping?
A: During vein stripping, incisions are made in the groin and calf, and a stripper tool is threaded through the diseased vein, to pull the vein out of the leg. With the VNUS Closure procedure, only one small puncture is made at the insertion site and the vein is then closed and left in place. The minimally invasive approach eliminates pain and bruising associated with vein stripping surgery.

Q: What if I need the vein for bypass surgery in the future?

A: The VNUS Closure procedure treats diseased veins only, which are not suitable for bypass surgery. Physicians can use other health vessels if bypass surgery is necessary in the future.

Q: Is the VNUS Closure procedure covered by insurance?
A: Most major health insurers cover the VNUS Closure procedure. Your physician can discuss your coverage in depth at the time of your consultation.

For more information, check out www.vnus.com