Tissue Adhesive Closure (Venaseal™)
Venaseal is a new FDA approved technique that uses a medical adhesive to treat varicose veins by sealing closed the abnormal great saphenous vein (GSV). The procedure is performed by placing a thin IV like tube inside the GSV with local anesthetic and positioning it appropriately with ultrasound guidance. Once positioned, 0.1 ml aliquots of the adhesive are delivered along the length of the GSV followed by vein compression to seal it closed. The entire procedure takes about 1 hour to complete and requires no anesthesia. You can return to normal activities immediately and do not need to wear graduated compression stockings afterwards. The lack of heat as is used with EVLT, means no injections of numbing medications along the length of the treated vein, less post procedure bruising and discomfort and less potential risk to surrounding nerves or other structures. The tissue adhesive is a formulation of cyanoacrylate that has been used to close vessels in the body for many years. Closure of the vein is as successful and durable as thermal ablation like laser at two year followup. If the veins were going to open, based on experience with thermal ablation like laser, we would expect to see this in the first 6 to 12 months. Dr. Khilnani was the Data Safety Monitor for the clinical trial that led to Venaseal being approved by the FDA.
Mechanicochemical Ablation (Clarivein™)
Mechanicochemical ablation is a new FDA approved technique that uses a special delivery catheter to deliver an irritant drug (sclerosant) to the vein intended to be closed while a wire is used to irritate the inside of the vein to produce a better response to the sclerosant. The entire procedure takes about 1 hour and you can return to your normal activities immediately. The lack of heat as is used with EVLT, means no injections of numbing medications along the length of the treated vein, less post procedure bruising and discomfort and less potential risk to surrounding nerves or other structures.
Polidocanol Injectable Foam (Varithena™)
Varithena is a prescription medicine used to treat varicose veins caused by problems with the great saphenous vein (GSV) and its related veins. It is delivered through placement of ultrasound guided small IVs and injected under ultrasound guidance for targeting of the abnormal veins. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes and you can return to normal activities immediately. The lack of heat leads to less post procedure discomfort and less potential risk to surrounding nerves or other structures.