Over the last two decades, the treatment of varicose veins has undergone a paradigm shift from conventional surgical treatment to endovenous catheter treatment.
This has resulted in significantly greater patient comfort and in many cases compression therapy is no longer necessary in the long term.
Thermal ablation using radiofrequency or laser therapy of the diseased truncal vein leads to high rates of varicose vein closure and earlier patient recovery compared to traditional surgery.
The intense heat of 120-200°C applied to the vein wall causes lasting damage and destruction, which is then broken down by the body.
However, all surrounding structures such as nerves/skin or lymph vessels can also be damaged by the high heat, so that despite the endovenous technique, local tumescent anesthesia (TA) is required to protect the tissue and provide local anesthesia.
Ecchymoses (small, patchy bleeding of the skin) and pain are frequently reported after thermal treatment. These findings have enabled the further development of catheter-based vein therapy and the development of modern cold procedures for the treatment of varicose veins, including an adhesive catheter, the VenaSeal® “vein glue” and microfoam sclerotherapy.
These procedures do not require tumescent anesthesia (TA) or heat energy and can avoid or prevent these associated complications (1, 2).
The VenaSeal® “vein glue” is one of the most innovative, effective and gentle treatment options for varicose veins.
The VenaSeal catheter is inserted into the vein to be treated via a puncture site on your leg under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance.
After positioning the catheter, your vein specialists will apply small amounts (approx. 1.5 ml to 1.8 ml per varicose vein) of bio tissue adhesive to the vein in such a way that the vein is permanently sealed.
The special adhesive and the treated vein are gradually absorbed and broken down by the body.
The simultaneous treatment of several insufficient truncal veins is possible with this gentle treatment method and is frequently performed by us.
No large wound or scar remains, only the small entry point of the catheter, which is treated with a plaster.
You will be fully mobile again immediately after the treatment.
It is not usually necessary to wear a compression stocking.
You can continue to go about your life as usual, sports or long-distance flights are no problem after the treatment.
Treatment with VenaSeal® is the most innovative non-surgical method for treating varicose veins.
Current studies show a very high level of effectiveness in the treatment of varicose veins with a significantly lower complication rate compared to other procedures.
A randomized prospective multi-center study from the USA (VeClose® 2018) (3) showed an effectiveness of approx. 96 % (closure rate of varicose veins) with significantly less pain during and after treatment compared to other methods (e.g. radiofrequency treatment).
Patient comfort with VenaSeal therapy is significantly better than with all other treatment options, both during and after treatment.
The patient does not have to discontinue any necessary anticoagulation therapy (blood thinners) beforehand. Two prospective clinical studies: a single-center with safety and efficacy data over a period of up to three years (4, 5) and a single-arm multicenter European cohort study (eSCOPE) (6), clearly indicate that VenaSeal® is not only one of the best and most effective procedures for the future, but can already be used successfully in the present.
The VenaSeal® “vein adhesive” received CE certification in September 2011.
It was subsequently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2015 as part of the premarket approval process for the permanent closure of superficial truncal veins.
Since 2010, microfoam has been considered the “gold standard” for combination therapy for the treatment of side branch varicosis.
The highly qualified specialists at VenaZiel® carry out the treatment of varicose veins 100% on an outpatient basis and at any time of year. Let us advise you without obligation.
References:
- Rasmussen LH, Lawaetz M, Bjoern L, Vennits B, Blemnigs A, Eklof B. Randomized clinical trial comparing endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy and surgical stripping for great saphenous varicose veins.
Br J Surg 2011;98:1079-87. - Almeida JI, Kaufman J, Gockeritz O, Chopra P, Evans M, Hoheim D, et al.
Radiofrequency endovenous ClosureFAST versus laser ablation for the treatment of great saphenous reflux: a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized study (RE- COVERY study).
J Vasc Interv Radiol 2009;20:752-9. - van den Bos R, Arends L, Kockaert M, Neumann M, Nijsten T. Endovenous therapies of lower extremity varicosities: ameta-analysis.
J Vasc Surg 2009;49:230-9. - Almeida JI, Javier JJ, Mackay EG, Bautista C, Cher D, Proebstle T. Two-year follow-up of first human use of cyanoacrylateadhesive for treatment of saphenous vein incompetence.
Phlebology 2015;30:397-404. - Almeida JI, Javier JJ, Mackay EG, Bautista C, Cher D, Proebstle TM.
Three-year follow-up of first human use ofcyanoacrylate adhesive for treatment of saphenous vein incompetence.
J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphatic Disord 2015;3:125. - Morrison N, Gibson K, McEnroe S, Goldman M, King T, Weiss R, et al.
Randomized trial comparing cyanoacrylate embolization and radiofrequency ablation for incompetent great saphenous veins (VeClose).
J Vasc Surg 2015;61:985-94.
