May 2011
Varicose veins can be unsightly and can cause a variety of symptoms including aching or discomfort in the legs, tired, itchy or restless legs, swelling of the ankles, lumps, ulcers, and blue or purple colouring under the skin. The majority of varicose vein patients tend to live with their symptoms or don't realise that the symptoms they have are due to an underlying venous problem. Many people put off treatment because traditional vein surgery “stripping” has a reputation for being painful and associated with a long recovery period involving weeks or even months of work and unsightly scarring.
However, in the last few years a number of minimally invasive treatments have been developed which have revolutionised varicose vein treatment because they can be performed under local anaesthetic and are associated with minimal pain and scarring. One of the most popular of these techniques has been Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) which is a non-surgical option for varicose vein treatment. It is usually done under local anaesthetic as a day case, without the need for an overnight stay. The procedure involves passing a laser probe into a vein to seal it from within.
However, a new even less invasive technique - ClariVein® is now available at Spire Bushey Hospital. This new technique is performed by Consultant Vascular Surgeon Mr David Greenstein. ClariVein® uses a combination of mechanical disruption of the intima and simultaneous injection of a chemical sclerosant solution. The combination of these two methods is a very efficient and painless way of sealing the vein.
“Clarivein® is the latest minimally invasive varicose vein technique from the USA. I received training in New York at the unit where the technique was developed. The procedure requires the injection of only 2-3mls of local anaesthetic to insert the catheter into the vein and the rest of the procedure is painless. Patients feel a slight vibration in the thigh as the vein is sealed. A compression stocking is applied and patients walk out of the hospital and resume their normal activities. All my patients have been delighted with the results. I have also been able to see how this technology can be used in more complex situations and the inventers have confirmed that I am the first surgeon in the world to be using this technology on some of the most complex varicose vein problems. “
Spire Bushey Hospital is pleased to be the first hospital in Hertfordshire to offer the ClariVein® surgery. ClariVein® is available as an outpatient procedure so patients can go home the same day, there is significantly less discomfort during the procedure than other minimally invasive techniques and the technique requires considerably less volume of local anaesthetic to be infiltrated. ClariVein® avoids the use of thermal energy to seal the vein so there is less chance of injury to adjacent sensory nerves. Initial reports suggest less post-operative discomfort over the treated vein.
As well as using (whenever possible) minimally invasive surgery, advanced, minimally traumatic technologies such as catheter-based treatments, along with traditional surgeries for aneurysms and obstructive arterial disease are available.
ClariVein® is currently only available for self paying patients. For further information on ClariVein® simply call us on 020 8901 5505 or enquire online now to request a guide price.