Veins

                          Surgical Procedures                          Vein Disorders                          FAQs

Vein, Vein, Go Away

At HealthPartners, our surgeons are vein experts that can assist you with getting the treatment you need to live a more comfortable life. We have a variety of procedures specifically designed to treat Vein Disorders, such as Varicose Veins.

Our surgical procedures use the most advanced technology, ensuring that you get back on your feet in as little time as possible.

Contact Us today to make those painful and unsightly veins a thing of the past.

Surgical Procedures for Veins

There are treatments for your veins including Vein Ligation & Stripping, VNUS Closure Procedure and Sclerotherapy. After meeting with our surgeon, we will diagnose what method will be best to treat your symptoms.

Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with these procedures and find out if one of these vein treatments is right for you. Then Contact Us to set up an appointment and we'll get you walking down the right path.

Vein Ligation & Stripping
Vein ligation and stripping is a minor surgery. It is used to remove a damaged vein and prevent complications of vein damage. If several valves in a vein and the vein itself are heavily damaged, the vein (or the diseased part of the vein) is removed (stripped). An incision is made below the vein, a flexible instrument is threaded up the vein to the first incision, and the vein is grasped and removed.

During this surgery, one or more incisions are made over the damaged veins, and the vein is tied off (ligated). If the ligation cuts off a faulty valve and the veins and valves below the faulty valve are healthy, the vein may be left in place to continue circulating blood through other veins that still have valves that work well.

Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy, also known as Echosclerotherapy, is a method of treating varicose veins and venous insufficiency that uses medication injected into a vein, causing it to close. Healthy veins then take over to correct blood flow back to the heart resultsing in symptom improvement. Using ultrasound guidance is essental to achieving long-term results and ensures the most complete treatment to all diseased veins.

When the injectable agent comes in contact with the inside lining of the vein, the treated vein collapses and is soon replaced by a thin cord of fibrous tissue. The vein is now permanently closed. This process is called sclerosis, hence the term sclerotherapy. The treated vein is then slowly absorbed by your body and eventually disappears.

VNUS Closure Procedure
The VNUS Closure procedure is an alternative treatment option to traditional vein stripping surgery.

VNUS Closure is an outpatient (day surgery) treatment performed in the clinic, surgical center, or hospital. Local or regional anesthesia is typically used to numb the treatment area. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening, using only a single needle stick. The catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthier 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 healing. You may be asked to walk, wear compression stockings, and 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.

Vein Disorders

Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged veins in the legs that are often visible on the skin surface. The majority of the diseased veins, however, are located below the skin surface and only visible with help of an ultrasound. These diseased veins, whether seen by the naked eye or not, can also have faulty valves, or venous insufficiency. When left untreated, complications and worsening disease can occur. Although many symptoms are associated with varicose veins, many patients go undiagnosed or untreated due to misconceptions by the public and even by the medical community.

An increase in the diameter of a vein results in the malfunction of valves inside the vein. When this occurs, the normal flow of blood back to the heart is disrupted. This results in symptoms that eventually progress and worsen.

Spider Veins
Also known as telangectasias, these smaller versions of varicose veins usually appear on the skin's surface as small, red to purple blood vessels on legs. These unsightly veins are more commonly referred to as spider veins since they resemble a spider web.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are some of the common symptoms of vein problems?
A:
     - Leg pain and aches
     - Legs that tire easily
     - Legs that feel heavy or restless
     - Swelling in the legs or ankles
     - Darkening of the skin (in severe cases)
     - Numbness or burning sensation in the legs
     - Itching, irritation or rash on the legs

Many people don't feel these symptoms, but don't know if may be caused by vein problems. We treat the major aspects of vein problems: varicose veins and venous insufficiency.

Q: How is the VNUS procedure different than vein stripping?
A: During a stripping procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and ties off the veins after which a stripper tool is threaded through the saphenous vein and used to pull the vein out of your leg through a second incision just above your calf. In the VNUS procedure there is no need for groin surgery, instead the vein remains in place and is closed using a special catheter inserted through a small puncture. This process virtually eliminates the bruising an pain often associated with vein stripping. Vein stripping is usually performed in an operating room under a general anesthetic while the VNUS procedure is performed on an outpatient basis typically using local or regional anesthesia.

Q: Is VNUS covered by my insurance?
A: Insurance coverage is determined on a per case basis. Most insurance companies determine coverage for all treatments, including VNUS, based on medically necessity. Our office will work with you and your insurance to get prior authorization for any of our vein procedures.