Varicose veins and spider veins are a common problem for many people. They can be painful and if left untreated can become a more serious and dangerous medical condition. While there are several options available where treatment is concerned, it might be difficult to decide whether or not to have surgical treatment or non-invasive treatment.

1. Surgical and Non-Invasive Procedures for Varicose Veins
Varicose veins and spider veins are a common problem for many people. They can be painful
and if left untreated can become a more serious and dangerous medical condition. While there
are several options available where treatment is concerned, it might be difficult to decide
whether or not to have surgical treatment or non-invasive treatment. This article will discuss a
few options for treatments, in the hopes of helping make that decision.
To start, you should speak with your physician to determine the seriousness of the varicose
veins. If you are concerned about the veins strictly based on their appearance and they are not a
serious health concern, you may want to have a non-invasive procedure. However, if your
varicose veins are a serious concern for you and your physician, then a surgical procedure might
be best and sometimes necessary for treatment. The benefit of the non-invasive procedures is that
there is generally a quick recovery time and a hospital stay is not needed. However, they are not
likely to be covered by insurance and can be expensive.
While surgical procedures are usually covered by insurance and are more likely to cure the
varicose veins for good, they can have long recovery times and hospital stays.
Surgical
A common surgical procedure for the treatment of varicose veins is endovenous ablation. This
procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anesthesia. The procedure
uses a thin catheter that is inserted into the infected vein, which then heats the vein and causes it
to close up. By closing the vein, the blood will cease to flow backwards and the symptoms
associated will no longer occur. This procedure has a 10 year success rate in scientific literature
and is typically the most effective way to treat the disease of venous reflux. The procedure
allows for the patient to return to normal activity very soon, but does usually require the patient
to wear compression stockings for a period of time. Complications for this procedure are rare but
might include minor bruising and pain along the treated vein.
Non-Invasive
One procedure that is commonly used in the repairing of varicose veins is called sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy is one of the oldest methods in the medical world and has been used for many
years. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a dilute medication into the varicose vein or spider
vein. The medication’s purpose is to irritate and scar the damaged veins from the inside out so
that the veins can no longer fill with blood. The blood that would normally travel through these
veins would travel through healthier veins and then back into the heart. The veins that were
treated will eventually close up and be absorbed into your body. While sclerotherapy typically
eliminates the vein in one treatment, it is possible to need more than one treatment. Also,

2. sclerotherapy should only be done after the treatment of the underlying cause of the varicose
veins, which is venous reflux disease. If the underlying cause is not treated, the veins that are
eliminated during sclerotherapy will return. Some common complications from sclerotherapy
can include the hyperpigmentation and irritation of the skin at the injection sight. Most of the
time the hyperpigmentation fades over time, and the irritation to the skin is very rare.
Another common procedure for the treatment of varicose veins is phlebectomy. Phlebectomy is
the process of making a small incision next to the varicose vein and tugging the vein out of the
leg with a small tool. The advantage to phlebectomy as opposed to the other procedures is that
the vein is removed from the body forever and will no longer be an issue. The disadvantage to
this procedure is that it can leave a bruise and a scar that is likely permanent at the site of the
vein removal.
About CFIM
The mission of Center for Interventional Medicine is to provide the greater Washington D.C.
region with the most advanced, minimally invasive treatments performed using radiologic
guidance, under the direction of a skilled and compassionate staff. Using the latest technology,
CFIM offers a broad range of minimally invasive outpatient treatments performed under local
anaesthetic and intravenous sedation. Patients are given the personalized attention and the time
needed to have all of their questions answered and calm any apprehensions they may have.
Click here to understand the causes of varicose veins.