The Closure Procedure:
Treatment for Varicose Veins and Leg Pain
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Finally. A solution to leg pain and varicose veins.
If you experience discomfort, swelling and varicose veins in your legs, you may be suffering from superficial venous reflux disease. Approximately 25 million people in the United States suffer from venous reflux. Traditionally patients diagnosed with venous reflux would undergo varicose vein stripping surgery. Now, patients can be treated with the Closure procedure -- a minimally invasive alternative to painful vein stripping surgery.
Venous reflux or venous insufficiency develops when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs become damaged or diseased. The main varicose vein treatment alternative is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically removing (stripping) the troublesome varicose vein from your leg. Closure provides a less-invasive alternative to vein stripping by closing the diseased vein instead.
Experience the Closure ProcedureMap the Saphenous Vein
Insert the Closure Catheter
Deliver RF Energy and Withdraw Catheter
Confirm Closing of Vein
Closure Procedure Highlights
Experience the Closure Procedure
The Closure procedure can be performed in our office using either local or general anesthesia in which the physician numbs the leg before treatment. The procedure consists of four principal steps.
Map the Saphenous Vein
A typical procedure begins with noninvasive ultrasound imaging of the varicose vein to trace its location. This allows the physician to determine the site where the Closure catheter will be inserted and to mark the desired position of the catheter tip to begin treatment.
Insert the Closure Catheter
After Dr. Senkowsky accesses the saphenous vein, the Closure catheter is inserted into the vein and advanced to the uppermost segment of the vein. Dr. Senkowsky then typically injects a volume of dilute anesthetic fluid into the area surrounding the vein. This numbs the leg, helps squeeze blood out of the vein and provides a fluid layer outside the vein to protect surrounding tissue from heat once the catheter starts delivering RF energy. Saline is then slowly infused into the vein from the tip of the catheter to further create a near-bloodless field inside the vein, allowing the catheter to preferentially heat the vein wall, rather than the blood.
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Deliver RF Energy and Withdraw Catheter
Noninvasive ultrasound is used to confirm the catheter tip position and Dr. Senkowsky then activates the RF generator, causing the electrodes at the tip of the catheter to heat the vein wall to a target temperature of typically 85 degrees Centigrade or 185 degrees Fahrenheit. As the vein wall is heated, the vein shrinks and the catheter is gradually withdrawn. During catheter pullback, which typically occurs over 15 to 18 minutes, the RF generator regularly adjusts the power level to maintain target temperature to effectively shrink collagen in the vein wall and close the vein over an extended length.
Confirm Closing of Vein
After treatment, ultrasound imaging is used to confirm closing of the vein. If a portion of the vein is not closed, the catheter can be reinserted and energy reapplied. After the procedure, the narrowed vein gradually becomes fibrous, sealing the interior of the vein walls and naturally redirecting blood flow to healthy veins. The procedure normally takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
98% of patients who have undergone the Closure procedure are willing to recommend the varicose vein treatment to a friend or family member
Dr. Senkowsky generally instructs his patients to walk regularly for several days after the Closure procedure and return within 72 hours for an ultrasound examination. Dr. Senkowsky may prescribe compression stockings to be worn for several days or weeks after the procedure. Compression stockings are prescribed as a routine item for varicose vein procedures with the goal of enhancing patient comfort in the initial days after treatment.
Patients who undergo the Closure procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.
Closure Procedure Highlights
- Relief of symptoms
- Outpatient procedure
- Resume activities typically within a day
- Good cosmetic outcome with minimal or no scarring, bruising, or swelling
As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with the Closure procedure.