Mr Nick Hickey and Mr Isaac Nyamekye are offering ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) at Spire South Bank Hospital.
UGFS is a NICE-approved minimally-invasive alternative to varicose vein surgery.
Unlike varicose vein surgery, UGFS:
- is performed as an out-patient procedure
- does not require a general anaesthetic
- requires no cuts in the legs - so there is no risk of wound infection or scarring
- is virtually painless
- is associated with much less bruising
- allows most patients to return to work the next day
- does not require any shaving of hair; a major bonus for the men!
The foam works by forcing the blood out of the varicose vein and making the walls of the vein ‘sticky’ so that the vein closes off. Over a period of a few weeks the treated varicose vein shrivels up and disappears.
'UGFS is particularly good for patients who have developed recurrent varicous veins after previous surgery and for patients with chronic venous leg ulcers secondary to varicose veins. Unlike varicose veins surgery, UGFS can also be performed on people who are anticoagulated without having to stop or reduce their warfarin’.