December 11, 2000 --
Women who suffer from unsightly varicose veins are cautioned that a relatively new procedure may come with some risks and is a procedure yet to be proven.
Traditionally, patients with varicose veins -- abnormally swollen and twisted veins, most commonly seen in the legs --have had two options: surgery or a treatment called sclerotherapy.
These options didn't seem sufficient, says Dr. Mark Marzano, an interventional radiologist at the Vein Care Associates in Barrington, Illinois. So when he came across a method that closes veins using heat, he approached VNUS Medical Technologies Inc., which in March of 1999 got approval from the Food and Drug Administration to test the method on people with varicose veins.
The procedure, which VNUS named Closure, can be done on an outpatient basis, without general anesthesia.
The doctor first uses ultrasound to map the vein and then numbs the area with local anesthesia. The doctor next nicks the skin behind the knee and threads a small catheter, or tube, into the vein.
Using ultrasound, the doctor guides the tip of the catheter until it reaches the point near the groin where the saphenous vein starts. A tiny probe with electrodes on the end is threaded through the catheter, and the electrodes heat up, shrinking the inner walls of the vein until it collapses.
This information is not to substitute for professional medical advice. You
should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or
disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please
consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have
regarding your condition.
