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MINIMALLY INVASIVE VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENT

WITH THE VNUS CLOSURE SYSTEM

At Drs. Groover, Christie, & Merritt, we are pleased to offer the VNUS® Closure® procedure, in addition to other treatment modalities for the management of vein disease.  The VNUS® Closure® system is a minimally invasive treatment for superficial venous reflux disease (SVRD).  SVRD is the underlying cause of varicose veins in most cases, and can also cause spider veins, swelling, burning, heaviness, and fatigue in the legs.  SVRD occurs when the one way valves in your leg veins, which usually ensure that blood flows out of your legs, become injured or diseased and stop functioning normally.  Blood can then pool in your legs and the pressure of this pooling blood can dilate the veins in your legs resulting in varicose veins as well as the other symptoms listed above (see figure 1 below). 

                              

FIGURE 1

Since valves can't be repaired, the only alternative is to redirect the blood through healthy veins.  This traditionally has been performed by surgically removing the abnormal veins from the legs by means of "stripping."  The VNUS closure procedure closes off the abnormal vein instead of removing it, and is a less invasive alternative to surgical vein stripping.   Below is a depiction of a diseased vein being closed with the VNUS system (figure 2).  An intravenous (I.V.) line is started in the diseased superficial vein in your leg and a long straw, called a catheter, which is about the size of a spaghetti noodle, is placed into the vein through the intravenous site.  The tip of this catheter/straw emits radiofrequency energy which heats the vein and causes it to scar down and close.  Once it has closed the pressure of the pooling blood is no longer transmitted to the veins of the legs.

             

FIGURE 2

Below are pictures of the catheter with the radiofrequency (RF) emitting prongs at the end (figure 3) and the radiofrequency (RF) generator box (figure 4).

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in our office.  The patient is able to walk immediately after the procedure and usually has dramatic relief of symptoms within several days.

Highlights of the Closure®Procedure

For more information on the VNUS® Closure® procedure please contact Dr. Christopher P. Rothstein, M.D. at (202)452-0601.  You can also visit the VNUS web site at http://www.vnus.com.