Varicose veins are a more serious medical concern than thread or spider veins, although they are often regarded as a cosmetic concern and treatment is not always available on the national health service. Varicose veins, usually in the leg, are deeper beneath the skin and appear as lumpy or contorted, blue/green veins, often over 2mm in diameter. Depending on the severity of the varicose veins and the impedance on correct blood flow, they may be painful and cause leg aches. Various different treatments are now available, many of which are quick and simple to perform by trained surgeons compared to the stripping surgery advocated in the past.
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA), also referred to as Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) is a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins.
Radiofrequency Ablation or RF Ablation (RFA) is a form of Endovenous Thermal Ablation or Endothermal Ablation (ETA) used to treat varicose veins.
The Venaseal™ or “superglue” treatment by Sapheon is a new way of closing the main vein in the leg that causes varicose veins (usually either the great saphenous vein GSV or the small saphenous vein SSV or both). When the Venaseal™ or “superglue” treatment is performed, only one needle hole is needed per vein treated as there is no need for the additional injections of local anaesthetic around the vein – unlike endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation.
