VASCULAR HEALTH

Dr. Mark Rosenbloom

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – There has been a recent revolution in the treatment of varicose veins. Gone are the vein-stripping operations with associated pain, bruising and downtime.  In are office-based procedures done through a needle puncture without incisions or downtime.

The blood in our legs has to work against the pull of gravity. There are delicate one-way valves in our veins designed to keep blood moving towards the heart. Most of this blood is carried in deep veins that we cannot see or feel. It is surface veins that we see in our legs when they become abnormal.

The main surface vein is the greater saphenous vein. Most varicose veins occur when the one-way valves in the greater saphenous vein do not function properly, allowing blood to flow in reverse down the leg towards the foot. Over time, more blood will remain in surface veins, causing higher pressure that eventually causes the veins to dilate and become varicose veins.

When standing, blood will flow in reverse through the leaking valves, causing the vein to dilate. Pressure will begin to build up, causing symptoms to increase. When the leg is elevated, blood can flow out the veins back to the heart and pressure in the veins will decrease, improving symptoms.

Previously, the vein stripping operation was effective because it prevented blood from going in reverse down the leg, however was painful with associated swelling, bruising, and downtime. Today’s treatments are done in the office with local anesthesia.

Instead of removing the greater saphenous vein, the vein is closed so blood can no longer flow in reverse down the leg, allowing blood to empty through the deep veins, making circulation more efficient. Closing the vein is accomplished by introducing a small catheter into the greater saphenous.

After applying local anesthesia, heat energy is delivered with radiofrequency or laser technique called the VNUS® Closure procedure. It is highly effective with a very low risk of complications and a very good long-term success rate.

After applying local anesthesia, heat energy is delivered with radiofrequency or laser technique called the VNUS® Closure procedure. It is highly effective with a very low risk of complications and a very good long-term success rate.

Superficial branches that remain can often be treated with ‘sclerotherapy’, which involves introducing a solution through very small needles into the superficial varicosities, thus irritating the lining.

A compression bandage and stocking is then applied, causing the vein walls to collapse and remain closed, eliminating blood flow in the varicose vein and causing it to no longer bulge. The closed vein may become firm and then slowly go away.

Sometimes there is still a need for a more traditional surgical approach to treat varicose veins.

However, with the introduction of the catheter procedures, surgical procedures are small, often done under local anesthesia and usually involve removing surface veins through small punctures that do not require sutures. This is known as ambulatory phlebectomy. Please click here for more information about vascular surgery.

Mark S. Rosenbloom, MD, FACS is a board certified vascular surgeon with MIMA in Melbourne, Florida. He is on the staff of Holmes Regional Medical Center and serves as the Chief of Vascular Surgery on the Operating Room Committee. Dr. Rosenbloom has practiced in Melbourne since 1992 and is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, and a member of the American College of Phlebology, which specializes in the care of patients with venous disease. For more information on varicose vein treatments like the VNUS® Closure procedure, contact Dr. Rosenbloom at 321-725-4500, ext. 7405.

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