We offer an extensive range of treatment options for the removal of unsightly and symptomatic varicose veins. Should you wish to Consult with one of our surgeons, the procedures available below will be discussed at length and tailored to your individual needs. Other than open surgery all of the procedures can be performed under local anesthetic with or without sedation. 

Surgery

Surgery is still considered the "GOLD STANDARD". Not because it's necessarily the best option but because we know the results and the risks. Alternative treatments should be either as good as if not better than the "GOLD STANDARD" and preferably have some additional benefit. Surgery is still performed where patients are not suitable for minimally invasive treatment as discussed below and typically consists of three parts.                     

1. The High Tie (Via a small incision 3-4cm either in the groin or behind the knee where the vein can be tied and divided at the site of the leaky valve)
2. The Strip (Once divided the incompetent vein in the thigh is stripped out using a small catheter which is passed through the open end of the vein) and tied)
3. The Avulsions (phlebectomies). These are performed through small 2-3mm incisions in the thigh and calf used to remove the remaining veins. 

The procedure is performed under a spinal or general anaesthetic and takes approximately one hour. The procedure it self is generally well tolerated and can be performed as a day case if required. Patient may have some discomfort at the cut in the groin and bruising in the thigh and calf. Patients can generally return to work and driving in one - two weeks and are review at six weeks once the bruising has settled.

Thermo-Ablation  (VNUS & EVLT)

Thermo-ablation quite simply means destruction using heat. In endovenous thermo-ablation the vein is destroyed using heat delivered at or along the tip of a catheter. The catheter is  introduced into the vein through a small 2-3mm cut at the knee or ankle. There are two main techniques available to deliver the heat. Both techniques use a catheter (small fibre) to deliver the heat at the tip to the vein. One method uses light energy in the form of a lazer (EVLT) and the other "radio-frequency waves" via seven cm coil (VNUS closure procedure). There is no need for a cut in the groin and the procedure can be performed either totally under local anaesthetic, local anaesthetic with sedation or patients may prefer to have general anesthetic. This is certainly available and preferable in some instances. In carefully selected cases the results are as good as open surgery with the additional benefits of less pain and a quicker recovery period. Not everyone is suitable and the vein must meet the following criteria.

1. The vein should ideally be at least 1cm deep for at least 9 cm
2. The vein should ideally be straight without evidence of scarring or thrombosis
3. Choosing patients suitability is performed using a duplex ultrasound and is a absolute requirement if you want good results with minimal or no risk.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a way of destroying the veins chemically by injecting an irritant into the vein. When used appropriately and with a full understanding of the risks and benefits as well as the recurrence rates this is an extremely useful tool. This site links to the recent NICE guidence on sclerotherapy and should be read in conjunction with the advice given by your specialist. Foam sclerotherapy is a way of improving the results of sclerotherapy by the addition of bubbles into the sclerosant.

Vein Wave

Vein wave^® Is a machine that delivers heat in the form of very high frequency electrical pulses. The procedure is extremely well tolerated and virtually pain free. These pulses heat the blood damaging the vein wall that is then absorbed over time. This technique is very useful for the treatment of facial thread veins and spider naevi. Treatment is performed in the out patient clinic and generally takes from 15 - 30 minutes. More than one treatment may be necessary but this will be discussed during your initial consultation as will the risks and benefits.