Treating Varicose Veins with Minimally Invasive Ablation Techniques

This image from WebMD depicts varicose veins
in a patient's legs.

Welcome back to my general dermatology blog. As a general and surgical dermatologist, I help patients treat and control a number of skin conditions. One condition that usually requires surgical treatment is varicose veins, defined as enlarged veins near the surface of the skin filled with an abnormal amount of blood. New information presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAOD)’s Annual Summer Meeting in New York indicates that two minimally invasive techniques could serve as an alternative to surgery for individuals with varicose veins.

Todd Cartee MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Penn State’s Hersey Medical Center, presented data to AAOD conference attendees regarding two ablation techniques:

• Endovenous laser ablation: This procedure involves putting patients under using local anesthesia and a ¼” incision. An infrared laser directs heat to the vein, through the incision, in order to destroy the affected vein.

• Radiofrequency ablation: This process utilizes radiofrequency energy and waves to heat veins and spur their collapse.

According to Cartee, these two procedures allow patients to recover more quickly than traditional methods that require general anesthesia and a long recovery time. He adds that with these two ablation techniques, patients can expect to return to their normal routine one day after the procedure is completed.

Patients who seek treatment for their varicose veins often do so after complaining of leg pain, rashes, blood clots, fatigue, cramping in the calves, skin darkening, itching, and burning. Spider veins, which are similar to varicose veins but smaller and closer to the surface of the skin, do not produce severe symptoms but are instead treated for cosmetic reasons. Cartee reminded attendees that leg vein problems are treatable and then encouraged patients to seek out a board-certified dermatologist if they are concerned by the appearance of their legs or are experiencing problematic symptoms.

View a summary of the presentation here: http://www.healio.com/dermatology/lasers/news/online/%7BDF039561-F519-42DD-B9F9-839426B1B806%7D/Minimally-invasive-ablation-techniques-used-to-treat-varicose-veins

Thanks for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty

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