Varicose veins do not get better by themselves; indeed they get worse slowly and progressively. These damaged veins serve no useful purpose.

Early treatment often prevents the symptoms developing and, of course, removes the unsightly appearance. In fact, the earlier you receive specialist treatment the better the long term clinical and cosmetic results.

The British Varicose Vein Centres perform treatments that have been developed by specialists at the Middlesex Hospital in London. This is the result of extensive research over the last 15 years. The excellence of these methods has been confirmed in treating thousands of patients with venous diseases.

Treatment is designed for each patient based on the results of the vein test. Everyone is different, so individual tailoring of treatment is essential.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?

a) Operation - Varicose Veins

Surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia, a spinal anaesthetic is an alternative. The varicose vein operation involves tying off the source of any veins in which the valves have failed through incisions 3-4cm in length. These are made either in the groin or behind the knee depending on which veins are diseased. Where a large vein inside the leg is affected, that vessel is removed by a technique known as "inverted stripping".

To do this special instruments developed in Switzerland are passed along the vein and then the entire length of the diseased vessel is inverted and removed through a tiny incision in the skin. This method causes less bruising and pain. Smaller varicosities are usually removed by a technique called "hook phlebectomy".

Tiny incisions are made in the leg (not more than 2mm in length) over the varices. Again special Swiss hooks and forceps are used in order to avoid the need to make large incisions. These tiny incisions usually require no stitches, and they need only be covered by small plasters. The long term results of varicose vein surgery are excellent both commercially and clinically. The tiny scars fade to white marks in a few months and are hardly noticeable.

b) The VNUS Closure Procedure

Before treatment

The VNUS Closure procedure, an alternative treatment option to traditional vein stripping surgery, brings state of the art technology to an age old disease.

The Closure procedure is an outpatient (day surgery) treatment. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening, using only a single needle stick.The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut.

Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs. As normal return flow is re-established, your symptoms should improve noticeably.

Following the procedure, the catheter is removed, a bandage is placed over the insertion site and your leg may be wrapped typically for 1 day to aid healing.

Our vascular specialist may ask you to walk, wear compression stockings, and to refrain from long periods of standing for a period of time following the procedure to help speed your recovery. Many patients resume normal activities within 1-2 days.

Highlights of the Closure Procedure

Relief of symptoms

• Same day procedure
• Resume normal activities within 1-2 days
• Good cosmetic outcome with minimal or no scars

Vein warmed and collapses

Catheter slowly withdrawn, closing vein

c) Laser Treatments

The ELVeS™ and EVLT™ treatments are quick, minimally invasive procedures that offer an effective alternative to the surgical stripping of veins. They are performed under local anaesthetic and are highly effective with over 97% of first-time treatments being successful. Local anaesthetic is administered. Under ultrasound guidance, a thin fibre-optic probe is inserted through a tiny entry point, usually near the knee. Laser energy is delivered in short pulses to seal the faulty vein so that blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates unsightly bulging that causes discomfort and embarrassment. After treatment, the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to the many normal veins in the leg. Walking immediately after the procedure is encouraged. Normal daily activity can be resumed.

Highlights of Laser Treatment

• A simple walk in – walk out procedure
• Treatment in under an hour
• Local anaesthetic
• No scarring
• Minimal discomfort
• Rapid recovery
• Normal activities resumed immediately

These Laser Treatments are available in London, Nottingham and Chester.