Maximum relief for varicose veins
If you are one of the 40 million Americans living with varicose veins, you know the frustration. More than just unsightly, they can become painful, causing achiness, burning, itching, throbbing, fatigue and swelling in the legs. Left untreated, severe varicose veins can lead to more serious conditions including skin ulcers, vein inflammation and blood clots.
For troublesome varicose veins, MeritCare now offers two minimally invasive, cosmetically sound treatment options: endovenous laser therapy and transilluminated powered phlebectomy. How do you know which is best for you?
"Certainly not all varicose veins are the same, which is why it's important to get a thorough, reliable evaluation at a place that offers the full range of treatment options," says Dr. Warren Albrecht, MeritCare vascular surgeon. "This ensures you'll get the treatment — or combination of treatments — that best meets your need." MeritCare offers minimally invasive treatment options through two specialty areas: interventional radiology and vascular surgery. In both areas, highly trained and experienced specialists perform the treatments.
What are varicose veins?
The veins in your legs have a tough job — bringing blood back up to the heart to be recirculated. One-way valves help the upward process, but when the valves don't function properly, blood can gather in the veins, causing them to become enlarged (varicose). Usually a quarter-inch or more in diameter, varicose veins can appear in clusters or rows and cause symptoms. Several factors can influence the condition including
pregnancy (this increases pressure on leg veins), heredity, aging, being overweight and occupations that require long periods of standing.
In assessing troublesome varicose veins, a well-performed ultrasound evaluation plays a key role. "It's important to get the evaluation performed in a certified ultrasound lab because inaccurate results can lead to the wrong treatment," says Dr. Albrecht.
Endovenous laser therapy
For approximately 80 percent of people troubled with varicose veins, the problem can be traced to a large vein in the upper thigh — the greater saphenous vein (GSV). "If the GSV has leaky valves, we see significant reflux (back flow of blood), and this contributes to varicose veins," says
Dr. Corey Teigen, MeritCare board-certified interventional radiologist. "When we treat the source of the reflux, we're able to alleviate much of the pain. People experience significant improvement."
In endovenous laser therapy, the specialist inserts a thin laser fiber into the GSV through a small incision. Laser energy heats the vein, causing it to shrink and collapse. The blood then routes to healthy veins, causing the larger varicose veins to diminish. (Any remaining varicose veins tend to be small and easily treatable in a follow-up procedure.) The 45-minute treatment takes place in a procedure room and requires only a local anesthesia. "Patients appreciate the rapid recovery," says Dr. Teigen. "They walk out the same day, and can typically resume their normal activities the next day."
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy
When varicose veins remain after previous treatments or cannot be completely treated with laser therapy, a different type of minimally invasive treatment comes into play: transilluminated powered phlebectomy. Performed under anesthesia in an operating room, the procedure involves two to three strategically placed small incisions near the varicose veins. These small incisions allow for the insertion of specially designed instruments, including one that "illuminates" the varicose veins.
"The illumination is what enables the complete removal of the varicose veins — complete, yet minimally invasive," says Dr. Albrecht, who has been performing the treatment since 2005 and was the first to bring it to the Red River Valley. "People who have undergone previous procedures such as vein stripping are especially impressed at how quickly they can resume their activities."
If you're tired of dealing with troublesome varicose veins, visit meritcare.com to learn more about Leg Vein Services or call MeritCare Vascular Surgery at (701) 234-2251, MeritCare Interventional Radiology at (701) 234-6236 or MeritCare Bemidji at (218) 333-5283. All departments can also be reached toll-free at (800) 437-4010.
Read patients' experience with varicose vein treatment in the Valley Health Journal Story, "Varicose vein treatment makes a daily difference."
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