VenaSeal Treatment of Varicose Veins

The  most recent innovation in the treatment of varicose veins is the use of the VenaSeal (cyanoacrylate) procedure, a medical glue used for vein closure. It has exceptional advantages over other treatment options. 

It  is a minimally invasive procedure for varicose vein treatment that physically seals the main defective vein. This amazing bio-adhesive was approved by the FDA in 2015 for the treatment of adults suffering from varicose veins. 

Though  the procedure of thermal ablation has the same function of closing diseased veins as thermal ablation, no heat is required during VenaSeal procedure and therefore there is no need for administering tumescent anesthesia as well.

There are several benefits to opting for this procedure to treat varicose veins. They include:

Multiple  veins can be treated in just a single sitting. Patients can literally  walk away from there after the treatment. There are no records of people  experiencing numbness, or burden of weight after the procedure.

Thermal  ablation treatment requires short bursts of focused heat to be  channeled inside the diseased vein that causes the vein to collapse.  After an interval period, the treated vein is replaced by connective  tissue as it heals from the thermal treatment. Therefore, in order to  protect patients from the adverse effects of extreme heat, they are  given large amounts of anesthetic. 

Tumescent  anesthesia is one such product that numbs the area to be treated but  can prove to be uncomfortable. Since VenaSeal is non-thermal, it does  not require such strong heat and therefore eliminates the use of  tumescent anesthesia. The procedure can be performed with only a tiny  amount of local anesthetic.

Then  this is the procedure for you! Thermal techniques can work really well  but you may require nearly 10 to 20 needles! OUCH! VenaSeal requires  just one prick near the access site and voila! It’s done! VenaSeal is  undoubtedly a much more comfortable procedure. 

As  mentioned, since it is a non-thermal procedure, VenaSeal treatment  makes it quite easy for patients to return to their normal routine  immediately. Doctors even advise starting moderate exercise following  the procedure. In the case of thermal ablation, patients usually take a  few days to fully recover. 

During  VenaSeal treatment, bio-adhesive is delivered in such small additions  along the length of the vein followed by brief compression, that the  vein closure is accomplished in a very non-destructive way. Therefore,  post-procedure, there is less pain and bruising. 

Medical-grade  compression stockings have long been advised to patients after ablation  treatment. It needs to be worn for nearly 3-5 days post-procedure. Most  varicose vein procedures require these stockings to hold the vein  closed during recovery, lessen postoperative pain and help reduce  complications. 

But  they have their downside as well. Most patients complain of aggravated  skin irritation and itching. They can be quite uncomfortable during hot  summer months and cause itching, redness and irritation. But discarding  the stockings early can result in stretching the recovery process  further.

Moreover,  if for any reason compression socks are improperly fitted, redness and  temporary dents in the skin may appear on your legs. The good news is  that VenaSeal doesn’t require the patient to wear them post-treatment  since the medical-grade adhesive permanently seals the veins shut within  minutes of application. This eases the recovery process and offers a  much more comfortable experience to the patient.

VenaSeal  treatment can be completed in 30 minutes and does not take more than 60  minutes. The procedure is really fast from the time the device is  inserted to the time that it’s completed. 

With  VenaSeal recovery time is really less and therefore you can easily fit  this into your busy schedule. Patients with jobs that require a lot of  movement or athletes really vouch for this treatment option since they  can go back to their work or training really fast.

A follow-up ultrasound and review are always organized by the team post VenaSeal treatment. 

Post-procedure symptoms vary from patient to patient and may include:

• Mild  pain for the first few days. But there is no reason to worry since this  indicates that the treatment is working. The pain usually subsides  within a few days. Doctors can advise painkillers if the need arises.
  
• If there is severe itching, consult your doctor who may advise treatment with antihistamines or steroids.
  
• Post-treatment,  vein inflammation may occur for a few weeks. But it usually subsides  within 4-6 weeks. This is also an indication that the treatment was  successful.
  
• Though it’s very unusual for a recurrence to happen; if at all it does happen, further treatment may be required.

To achieve the best results possible from your treatment, follow some simple rules to ensure fast healing:

During  the procedure, your doctor will clean the injection site with an  alcohol swab and after the procedure is complete the injection site will  again be cleaned. After this, the doctor will apply a small bandage.  And it’s over! You can just walk out of the clinic and continue with  your normal routine work. 

You  can continue with your normal routine almost immediately after the  procedure. Apart from daily chores, it is also vital to include  exercises such as walking, tennis or golf in your daily routine to  increase circulation of blood flow and speed up the healing process. 

The  biggest advantage of VenaSeal is the healing effects are extremely  fast. The procedure requires only a few simple injections and therefore  post-procedure recovery is almost immediate. Patients hardly experience  any uncomfortable situations like bruising, swelling, or soreness. 

As  mentioned above, patients usually return to their normal daily  activities the same day. Most of them return to their job the next day  unless it’s a physically demanding job, in which it’s better to consult  the doctor to know a timeframe for resuming work. 

Some  patients may experience slight discomfort after treatment. Minor  tenderness in the treated areas is a common post-procedure experience.  However, there’s nothing to worry about since this is normal. The best  way to ease this discomfort is by raising your legs. 

Other  precautions include the use of a heating pad or taking over-the-counter  analgesics as advised by your doctor. But if for any reason there is  severe pain, which is rare, contact the clinic immediately for medical  treatment. 

For  the first week, it is best to abstain from lifting anything that is  heavy. It’s also recommended you avoid strenuous activities. Though  walking is good, avoid running, cycling and weightlifting for the first  7–10 days till the treated veins are fully closed and healed. 

All  procedures are done in a sterile environment to prevent any kind of  infection. But it’s necessary to follow some rules at home to further  reduce the risk of infection. Avoid soaking in hot tubs, bathtubs or  pools for a minimum of seven to ten days after the procedure.

Since a very small amount of VenaSeal adhesive is used to close the vein, the body will naturally absorb it over time.

VenaSeal  adhesive is a special type of medical-grade adhesive or glue referred  to as a “Cyanoacrylate.” It is specifically formulated in special  medical labs and has been used since 1950 for many other medical  procedures such as dental, Orthopedic, Ophthalmic surgery, Cosmetic  procedures and plastic surgery etc.

It has some unique properties compared to other medical glues that make it ideal for vein sealing.

●     When the VenaSeal glue comes into contact with the blood within the vein wall, it rapidly seals the vein shut.

●     Because of its soft and elastic nature, once it sets, it is undetectable by the patients.

●     It is extremely safe and non-toxic with anti-bacterial properties.

●     No adverse long-term effects.

●     Faster improvement in symptoms

If you wish to learn more about VenaSeal and its amazing effects contact us today at Cardiology Consultants, PA for an appointment.