Closure

Superficial venous reflux is a condition that develops when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs become damaged or diseased. This causes blood to pool in your legs. Common symptoms of superficial venous reflux include pain, swelling, leg heaviness and fatigue, as well as varicose veins in your legs.

The VNUS Closure procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for superficial venous reflux. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut.

Since valves can't be repaired, the only alternative is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically removing (stripping) the troublesome vein from your leg. The VNUS Closure procedure provides a less invasive alternative to vein stripping by simply closing the problem vein instead. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs.

During a stripping procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and ties off the vein, 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 Closure procedure, there is no need for groin surgery. Instead, the vein remains in place and is closed using a special (VNUS Closure) catheter inserted through a small puncture. This may eliminate the bruising and pain often associated with vein stripping (i.e., that may result from the tearing of side branch veins while the saphenous vein is pulled out). Vein stripping is usually performed in an operating room, under a general anesthetic, while the VNUS Closure procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, typically using local or regional anesthesia. Three randomized trials of the VNUS Closure procedure vs. vein stripping, including the most recent multi-center comparative trial, show very similar results. In the multi-center comparative trial, the VNUS Closure procedure was superior to vein stripping in every statistically significant outcome. In the study, 80.5% of patients treated with the VNUS Closure procedure returned to normal activities within one day, versus 46.9% of patients who underwent vein stripping. Also, VNUS Closure patients returned to work 7.7 days sooner than surgical patients. Patients treated with the VNUS Closure procedure had less postoperative pain, less bruising, faster recovery and fewer overall adverse events.

The VNUS Closure procedure takes approximately 45-60 minutes, though patients normally spend 2-3 hours at the medical facility due to normal pre- and post-treatment procedures.

Patients report feeling little, if any, pain during the VNUS Closure procedure. Your physician will give you a local or regional anesthetic to numb the treatment area.

The VNUS Closure procedure can be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia.

Many patients can resume normal activities immediately. For a few weeks following the treatment, your doctor may recommend a regular walking regimen and suggest you refrain from very strenuous activities (heavy lifting, for example) or prolonged periods of standing.

Most patients report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms within 1-2 weeks following the procedure.

Patients report minimal to no scarring, bruising, or swelling following the VNUS Closure procedure.

As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with the VNUS Closure procedure. All patients should consult their doctors to determine if their conditions present any special risks. Your physician will review potential complications of the VNUS Closure procedure at the consultation, and can be reviewed in the safety summary. Potential complications can include: vessel perforation, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, hematoma, infection, paresthesia (numbness or tingling) and/or skin burn.

Only a physician call tell you if the VNUS Closure procedure is a viable option for your vein problem. Experience has shown that many patients with superficial venous reflux disease can be treated with the VNUS Closure procedure.

The most important step in determining whether or not the VNUS Closure procedure is appropriate for you is a complete ultrasound examination by your physician or qualified clinician. Age alone is not a factor in determining whether or not the VNUS Closure procedure is appropriate for you. The VNUS Closure procedure has been used to treat patients across a wide range of ages.

Published data suggests that two years after treatment, 90% of the treated veins remain closed and free from reflux, the underlying cause of varicose veins.

The vein simply becomes fibrous tissue after treatment. Over time, the vein will gradually incorporate into surrounding tissue. One study reported that 89% of treated veins are indistinguishable from other body tissue one year after the VNUS Closure procedure was performed.

Many insurance companies are paying for the VNUS Closure procedure in part or in full. Most insurance companies determine coverage for all treatments, including the VNUS Closure procedure, based on medical necessity. The VNUS Closure procedure has positive coverage policies with most major health insurers. Your physician can discuss your insurance coverage further at the time of consultation.

98% of patients who have undergone the VNUS Closure procedure are willing to recommend it to a friend or family member with similar leg vein problems.