VenaSeal to treat varicose veins

What is VenaSeal?

Varicose veins appear when the valves of the veins that keep blood flowing upward to the heart, are damaged or diseased. If left untreated, the symptoms and appearance of varicose veins will progress.

VenaSeal is an innovative treatment that uses a specially formulated medical glue to seal the impaired vein, thus allowing the blood to flow through other healthy veins in the legs. The VenaSeal adhesive is specifically formulated to treat great saphenous vein (GSV) and its associated varicosities.

It's a minimally invasive procedure that can be carried without any special anaesthetic injections in the vein, called tumescent anaesthesia. This procedure also eliminates any risk of nerve injury that appears in thermal-based treatments, making it safe and effective.

Results will vary based on how advanced the varicose veins are, but patients should see a rapid relief from the uncomfortable symptoms and appearance of this condition.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

Consultants might recommend the VenaSeal procedure due its benefits such as:

• Little discomfort during the procedure
• Reduced recovery time, allowing a rapid return to work or day-to-day activities
• Tumescent-free solution, eliminating the need for multiple needles
• Minimal bruising
• No need to wear compression stockings after the procedure, although some patients might benefit from them

How does it work?

The consultant will apply a local anaesthetic at the puncture site and then insert a fine catheter into the vein. The VenaSeal adhesive is then pushed through the catheter, instantly bonding the vein shut.  By using an ultrasound, the consultant will be able to guide the dispenser.

Once the procedure is finished, a small bandage will be placed over the puncture site. 

What are the alternatives?

If you suffer from varicose veins, there are several treatment options available, depending on the extent of your condition. At Circle Health we offer:

• Surgical removal of varicose veins
• The ClariVein procedure 
•  VNUS closure procedure Venefit, using radiofrequency energy
• Varicose vein treatment with laser
• Endovenous laser therapy (ELVT)
• Sclerotherapy treatment

What are the risks?

Medical glues have been successfully used to safely treat different conditions for over 50 years. The VenaSeal procedure is a clinically-proven safe option to treat varicose veins, with no serious adverse effects. As a procedure that is not using heat, there is no risk of injuring the nerve in the leg, a risk associated with certain thermal-based procedures.

As with any medical procedure, VenaSeal may involve the following risks:

• Allergic reaction to the VenaSeal glue
• Extensive bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Swelling in the treated leg
• Bruising
• Hyper-pigmentation of the skin
• Infection at the access site
• Pain
• Non-specific mild inflammation of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue
• A feeling of tingling, pricking, numbness or burning
• Phlebitis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Urticaria or ulceration may occur at the site of injection
• Vascular rupture and perforation
• Visible scarring

Your consultant will be able to extensively explain any complications or risks that might occur during this procedure.

How soon will I recover?

This is an outpatient procedure and doesn’t require overnight stay. Once the procedure is over, you should be able to go home and return to normal activities. Generally, the use of compression stockings after a VenaSeal procedure is not necessary, however some patients may benefit from them.