Total Vein Care : Vein Closure

VEIN TREATMENT WITH
THE VNUS CLOSURE® SYSTEM

The VNUS Closure procedure has become a useful alternative method for the treatment of varicose veins. Vein Closure can usually be used to treat those patients who would have previously been treated by vein stripping. Closure of the greater saphenous vein is the minimally invasive alternative to vein stripping. Instead of stripping the vein, the Closure device seals the vein shut.

Vein Closure is not a procedure for every varicose vein or every patient with varicose veins. Phlebologists use the Closure procedure most often to close suitable great saphenous veins. The use of the Closure process has now been extended to treat several other veins such as anatomically suitable short (lesser) saphenous veins, anterior accessory saphenous veins, and some perforator veins. Usually the GSV cannot be seen with the naked eye by simply looking at the leg of a patient with varicose veins. Often it is the source of many of the varicosities in the affected leg. Its location and the role it plays in varicose vein formation can be shown with ultrasound examinations. The greater saphenous vein is located on the inside of the thigh. The vein starts at the groin and goes down the inside of the thigh and leg to the ankle.

The following illustration shows how the VNUS Closure procedure using the ClosureFAST™ Catheter closes the greater saphenous vein (GSV). The GSV runs from the groin to the ankle. Electrical energy is applied to the catheter electrode in order to heat the vein wall and shrink the vein closed. The VNUS catheter is placed inside of the greater saphenous vein usually below the knee. Since the vein cannot be seen by the naked eye, it is entered under ultrasound guidance or with a small incision.

The following drawings depict the manner in which the new and improved ClosureFAST™ Catheter is used.

To learn more about the VNUS Closure procedure using the ClosureFAST™ Catheter, Click Here. For info on how the VNUS Closure system is superior to Laser Varicose Vein treatment, Click Here.

Closure patients usually have relief of their symptoms and a short recovery. Usual activities of daily living may be resumed in 1 or 2 days. Closure patients should not lift heavy weights or perform aerobic exercise for two weeks. The procedure is a “same day” procedure that can be done under regional or local anesthesia. Most patients experience good cosmetic results with minimal or no visible scars.

Ninety-four percent of the patients in a series of 91 patients said that they would recommend the procedure. These 94% described themselves as without symptoms of vein disease or substantially improved after treatment. (Chandler J, et al: Treatment of primary venous insufficiency by endovenous saphenous vein obliteration. Vascular Surgery, May/June, 2000)

Patients with certain types of pacemakers or internal defibrillators are not candidates for vein Closure with this device. Some other classes of patients may also not be candidates for this procedure.

Please refer to the vein Closure consent form that follows. Complications of vein Closure include but are not limited to the following: vessel perforation, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, hematoma, infection, paresthesia, skin burns, and death.

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Vein Closure Post-Treatment Regimen Card

Activity: Return to normal activities as tolerated. Refrain from strenuous activities (lifting of heavy weights or aerobic exercise) for two weeks. Walk at least five minutes each hour while awake for two weeks.

Pain medication: You may take mild pain relievers for one to two days if necessary. Do not take aspirin or aspirin containing medications for two weeks after Closure procedure.

Wound Care : Do not immerse the treated extremity in water until the skin wound is completely healed (10-14 days). Shower baths are permissible the morning after the procedure.

Bandages: Remove bandage after one day or any time the dressing feels too tight or causes numbness of the extremity. The dressing can be removed at home, or you can come to the office to have it removed for you. Apply compression to the treated extremity either by re-applying the elastic bandages or by using prescription compression stockings the day after Closure.

Compression stockings: Begin wearing compression stockings one or two days after your procedure. Continue to wear the compression stockings each day while you are awake especially if you have varicose veins that need additional treatment.

Post Closure procedure ultrasound: 2-3 days post closure and one month post closure.

Follow up visit: 7-10 days after closure.

It is normal to experience some tenderness and possibly bruising along the areas where local anesthesia was administered on the inside of the thigh.

Call your physician immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Prolonged tenderness, redness, or warmth along the treated segment
• Moderate to severe pain preventing return to normal activities
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Swelling of the treated limb
• Cramping/pain in your leg(s)
• Fever of 100.5 degrees or higher

VNUS Closure Informed Consent Form

Most vein procedures and operations can be performed under local anesthesia; however, it may be necessary to use additional anesthetic options. Click here to view instructions for patients having procedures or operations performed under general anesthesia, region anesthesia, or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation.

* Closure™ & VNUS® are registered trademarks of VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.