New, minimally-invasive treatment for varicose veins 20 to 25 million Americans have varicose veins, most commonly in the legs and feet. That's because we stand and walk upright, which increases the pressure in the veins in our lower body. Whether the cause is genetic, pregnancy, prolonged standing, excess weight, lack of exercise, or a damaged vein, the problem is nearly always the same: the “valves” in what’s called the “saphenous” vein are damaged. This vein, which runs from ankle to groin, brings oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart and lungs. The vein’s valves prevent blood from flowing backwards (downwards) toward the feet. If these valves don’t function properly—a condition called venous reflux—problems occur, including swelling, pain, fatigue, and varicose veins. In the past, the primary treatment for varicose veins was to remove, or “strip,” the problem veins through a series of very small punctures or incisions. This procedure did not, however, address the failing valves in the saphenous vein, which created the problem and can cause varicose veins to reoccur. What’s more, this technique typically results in significant bruising, and can cause post-surgical pain, nerve damage, and poor short-term cosmetic results. What is Vnus Closure® VnusClosure is a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins and their underlying cause, venous reflux, with little or no pain. Closure patients can walk away from the procedure and are back to routine activities – either at home or at work – typically within a day. With this procedure, SCRMC surgeon, Dr. Claudio Nunes, uses a very small catheter and radio-wave energy to seal the leg’s saphenous vein. [See diagram] To do this, she makes a single small incision near the knee and inserts a slender catheter into the vein. Once the catheter is correctly positioned, it’s “energized” and slowly withdrawn, sealing the vein shut. There are no stitches, and most patients return to normal activity within a day or two. What the research shows: 1. Patients receiving the Vnus Closure procedure consistently experienced less post-surgery pain, and returned to normal activities and work faster than patients whose veins were “stripped.” [Journal of Vascular Surgery] 2. 90-plus percent of patients said that treated veins remained reflux-free and had a significant lessening of limb pain, fatigue, and swelling. 3. 98% of patients said they would recommend the Closure procedure to a friend with similar vein problems. 4. More than 75,000 people have been treated with the Closure procedure to date. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Is the Vnus Closure procedure painful? A: Patients report feeling little, if any, pain during and after the procedure. Q: How quickly can I resume normal activity? A: Patients are walking immediately following the procedure, and they typically resume normal activities within one day. Q: How soon will my symptoms improve? A: Many patients notice an immediate relief of symptoms such as pain, leg heaviness, and fatigue. The full benefits of the procedure may take 1-2 weeks. Q: Is there any scarring, bruising, or swelling after the procedure? A: Patients report minimal, if any, scarring, bruising, or swelling following the Closure procedure. Q: How is the Closure procedure different from vein stripping? A: During vein stripping, incisions are made in the groin and calf, and a stripper tool is threaded through the diseased vein, to pull the vein out of the leg. With the Closure procedure, only one small puncture is made at the insertion site and the vein is then closed and left in place. This minimally invasive approach eliminates pain and bruising associated with vein stripping surgery. Q: What if I need the vein for bypass surgery in the future? A: The Closure procedure treats diseased veins only, which are not appropriate for bypass surgery. Physicians can use other healthy vessels should bypass surgery be necessary. Q: Is the VNUS Closure procedure covered by insurance? A: Most major health insurers cover the Closure procedure. For more information on the Vnus Closure procedure, go to: http://www.vnus.com/navigation/patients.htm