All patients will be examined and also have a Doppler ultrasound examination as part of their initial consultation

Endovenous laser therapy (ablation)

• A new procedure established in 2004
• Approved by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) more information
• Outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic
• Walk out and return to work / exercise encouraged
• One small skin nick at inside of knee
• Laser energy inside the vessel, obliterates the vein from groin to knee (see diagram below)
• The procedure takes less than an hour
• Compression bandaging and stocking for 2 weeks helps with rapid healing

Foam injection sclerotherapy

• May be used on localized veins below the knee
• Very tiny needle causes minimal discomfort
• Foam shrinks vein and causes walls to stick together
• Bandaging/stocking for a week helps this process
• Best results are following laser ablation treatment
• Has lower recurrence than standard liquid injections

Liquid sclerotherapy for thread and spider veins

• Similar very small needle and minimal discomfort
• Liquid agent is used in very small quantities
• Liquid pushes blood from veins and shrinks vessels
• One injection can make several veins disappear
• A course of injections is sometimes needed
• Compression stocking afterwards gives improved results

Surgical options

• Less than 20% of problems may require surgery
• Minimal surgery with local removal of vein bulges may be all that is necessary ( phlebectomy )
• Recurrent varicose veins may need surgery, but this is more difficult. Ultrasound is essential. Increasingly foam is now being used as an alternative
• If your preferred treatment option is for traditional surgery with GA, then referral can be arranged.

LASER IN VEIN

SHEATH THROUGH SKIN

ANAESTHETIC