A Non-Surgical Outpatient Solution for Varicose Veins

The Interventional Radiology Suite at Lankenau Hospital is pleased to offer the VNUS® Closure® procedure, in addition to other treatment modalities for comprehensive management of vein disease.  The Closure® procedure is a minimally invasive treatment alternative for patients with a condition known as superficial venous reflux, which often results in varicose veins and other painful symptoms.  Varicose veins are known for their distinctive blue color and bulging appearance on the skin.  Resembling large, elongated worms, they afflict an estimated 10%-20% of the adult population.  In the United States, that translates into 20-25 million people, the majority of whom are women.

Traditionally, patients diagnosed with venous reflux would undergo vein stripping surgery to correct this condition. Now, patients whose varicose veins are causing symptoms can be treated with the Closure procedure - a minimally invasive alternative to painful vein stripping surgery. This treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using imaging guidance. Local anesthesia with moderate sedation is used to insure comfort during the treatment.  An interventional radiologist guides a probe through a tiny tube into the vein and then transmits radio frequency energy to close off the vein. By closing the great saphenous vein, the twisted and varicosed branch veins which are close to the skin shrink and improve in appearance. Once the vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg and re-establish normal flow.

With the Closure procedure, there is no incision, no real scarring, and most patients report an improvement in symptoms within one to two weeks following the procedure. Published data suggest that patients remain varicose-vein free after two years about 90 percent of the time.

Following the procedure, the catheter is removed, a bandage is placed over the insertion site and your leg may be wrapped typically for 1 day to aid healing.  Your doctor may ask you to walk, wear compression stockings, and to refrain from standing for long periods of time following the procedure to help speed your recovery.  Many patients resume normal activity within 1-2 days.

Benefits of the Closure Procedure
Interventional treatment provides a safe and effective alternative to vein stripping. Benefits of this non-invasive procedure include:

• Quick relief of symptoms
• Immediate return to normal activity with little or no pain.
• No scar or stitched.
• Low recurrence rate compared to surgery.
• Success rates range from 93 to 95 percent.

Insurance
Many major insurance carriers cover the Closure Procedure, based on medical necessity for symptom relief.

More About Varicose Veins and The Closure Procedure...

	What Are Varicose Veins? Learn about the causes, risk factors, symptoms and treatments for varicose veins and other vein conditions. More Info!
	FAQs About The Closure Procedure Common questions (and answers) about this groundbreaking new procedure for treating varicose veins. More Info!

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Lankenau Hospital interventional radiologist,
Call 1-866-CALL-MLH.