According to current scientific knowledge, the valve defect underlying varicose veins (click here to read about the causes and consequences of varicose veins) cannot be cured, i.e. there is no pill, physical therapy, or any other method that can restore the function of the defective valves. There are two approaches to treatment: conservative and surgical.
The cure, i.e., elimination of varicose veins, is only possible through surgical intervention. There are traditional (incisional) and catheter-based surgical methods, all of which aim to remove the abnormally functioning sections of the vein responsible for the congestion from the circulation.
A common feature of all catheter methods is that the dilated sections of the vein are closed using a catheter. The closure can be achieved chemically (adhesive surgery, cryo-sclero therapy) or by heat.
Minimally invasive, heat-based treatment options for eliminating varicose veins
The most important heat-based surgical procedures are laser and radiofrequency surgery, which differ in that one uses a radiofrequency generator and the other uses laser light to generate the necessary heat. The heat seals the veins, thereby eliminating the congestion in the venous network of the leg and reducing symptoms. Based on our experience, we recommend radiofrequency varicose vein surgery to patients in most cases, as the heat effect caused by laser surgery is often too great for the treated veins, resulting in greater pain and a slightly longer recovery time. Heat-based treatments are presented below using ClosureFast™ radiofrequency surgery.
Step 1: Using ultrasound guidance, a catheter is inserted into the dilated vein through a small needle puncture or a few millimeters incision.
Step 2: We numb the area around the vein with local anesthesia so that you do not feel any pain during the procedure.
Step 3: Activate the ClosureFast™ catheter and gradually treat the entire length of the target vessel segment.
Step 4: After completing the treatment, apply a compression bandage or stocking to the leg.
Advantages of the ClosureFast™ procedure
Preparations for ClosureFast™ radiofrequency and laser procedures
What to do after ClosureFast™ radiofrequency and laser procedures
Most patients report feeling little to no pain during the ClosureFast™ procedure. If you experience more significant pain, we will use additional local anesthetics and pain relievers to reduce discomfort.
Patients treated with ClosureFast™ can return to normal activities faster than those who have undergone traditional surgical solutions or laser procedures for varicose veins. With ClosureFast™, the average patient is usually able to resume normal activities within a few days. During your consultation with your doctor, you will discuss in detail how much and what kind of rest your job and lifestyle require.
Most patients report that symptoms subside after two days and show noticeable improvement within one to two weeks.
Most patients reported no scarring, bruising, or swelling after the ClosureFast™ procedure. In cases of advanced varicose veins, our experience shows that swelling occurs more frequently than in cases operated on at an earlier stage.
Both ClosureFast™ and lasers use heat to close veins, but the heat is generated differently and delivered differently. Although they are similar in their use of heat, a 2009 study showed that the ClosureFast™ procedure is associated with lower rates of pain, bruising, and complications, as well as faster improvement in patients’ quality of life compared to 980 nm laser ablation.
During traditional vein removal, incisions are made at the groin and ankle, and then the diseased vein section is pulled out using a strong wire mesh and other medical instruments. With the ClosureFast™ procedure, the catheter is inserted through a small puncture, and there are no large incisions like with traditional surgery. Because of the smaller incisions, there is significantly less pain during and after the procedure, faster healing, and a lower chance of surgical complications.
“The most important moment in our lives: The one we are currently experiencing. The most important person in our lives: The one standing right in front of us. And the most important feeling is love.”
The goal of all healthcare is to solve the patient’s problem as effectively as possible, i.e., to ensure that the intervention results in the fastest possible recovery time, the least possible pain, the best possible outcome, and the lowest possible chance of recurrence. The two most important factors in this are the doctor and the patient.
It is easy to see that the intervention will be most successful if both sides are as well prepared as possible for the date of the intervention. In developing our clinic, selecting our staff, providing training, and purchasing equipment, we always keep in mind that we want to treat our patients with the latest equipment and the best-trained staff available.
The other most important factor is the patient, i.e. your cooperation. Every person comes to us in a different physical and mental state, with different comorbidities and different types of problems, so it is important to discuss on an individual basis exactly how to prepare for a procedure and what you can and cannot do after surgery or laser treatment, for example. Therefore, an important part of success is that you follow our recommendations and advice after the examination or procedure.
What has been described so far may be true for any service. Today’s times suggest that even healthcare or health is just a “service” that can be purchased, where demand, supply, results, and money determine how things work.
However, there is something extra in the doctor-patient relationship, because when someone decides to be examined or operated on by a doctor, a contract is formed between them. This contract is not only about results, risks, and price, but above all about something unspoken: trust, because the patient entrusts us with their greatest treasure, their health.
The patient allows the doctor to touch, for example, their leg—something we would not allow just anyone to do—or to share confidential information about themselves.
The doctor respects the patient’s requests, keeps their secrets, tries to resolve their complaints, and helps them heal. This cannot be a one-sided “service”; it takes two people. It is this human connection that helps the patient overcome obstacles, fear, anxiety, and unpleasant moments in such an unusual situation. It is this trust that gives medicine the quality we truly love, because it makes our success a shared one. Trust cannot be bought, and it is difficult to earn, but we sincerely strive to deserve it. That is why no one leaves us feeling let down or with unanswered questions.
Best regards,
The VeinStream Clinic Team