VNUS® Closure®

If you are one of the estimated 25 million people in the United States who suffers from varicose veins, you may be frustrated by your lack of treatment options. In the past, your only choices for relief were compression stockings or painful vein stripping surgery. Fortunately, advances in vascular medicine have resulted in Orange County varicose veins procedures which are less invasive, less painful, and require little downtime.

VNUS® Closure® is one of the most advanced varicose vein treatments in Orange County, and it is only performed by a select group of vascular surgeons. Dr. Richard J. Fischel and Dr. John P. Maurice have extensive training and experience with the Closure procedure, which has a very high rate of patient satisfaction. Click here to view before and after photos of patients who have undergone Closure.

If you would like to learn more about Closure, or other treatment procedures, click here to request a consultation with one of our board-certified cardiovascular surgeons.

Varicose Vein Treatments in Orange County

What Is Closure?

Closure - developed by VNUS Medical Technologies - is a procedure that utilizes radiofrequency energy to permanently eliminate varicose veins. In the past, the only way to eliminate large varicose veins from the legs was to surgically remove them (stripping), which involved hospitalization and significant discomfort. With VNUS, the abnormal veins are heated, causing them to collapse and seal shut, re-routing the blood-flow through the remaining healthy veins. It is an outpatient procedure, with patients typically resuming normal activities within a day.

To learn more about VNUS, download a patient brochure from our Patient Resources page. This brochure includes more information about varicose veins, frequently asked questions, diagrams of leg veins, and info about whether you may be a candidate for treatment.

The Procedure

The Closure procedure is performed in one of our well-appointed Orange County office locations under local anesthesia. The process consists of four steps:

• Dr. Maurice or Dr. Fischel will use ultrasound imaging of the diseased vein to map its location. This noninvasive procedure allows the surgeon to determine where to position the Closure catheter.
• Next, the Closure catheter is inserted through a tiny incision into the vein and advanced to the desired position. A small amount of diluted anesthetic is injected into the area around the vein, then saline is slowly infused into the vein through the catheter. This helps clear the blood out of the vein to allow for optimum heating of the vein wall.
• Radiofrequency (RF) energy is then delivered through the precisely positioned catheter tip. This heats the vein wall to the desired temperature, causing it to collapse. As the vein shrinks, the catheter is slowly withdrawn.
• Lastly, ultrasound imaging will again be used to verify that the entire vein has closed. If a portion of the vein is not closed, the catheter will be reinserted and energy reapplied.

The procedure can usually be completed in 45 to 60 minutes, with patients resuming normal activity the same day.

Outcomes

Most patients notice improvement in their varicose vein symptoms within a week of treatment. However, it takes time for the body to break down and eliminate the closed vein, so cosmetic changes will occur over several months following treatment. Additional treatments, such as sclerotherapy, may be necessary to treat smaller surrounding veins as well.

The following chart demonstrates long-term symptom relief outcomes for patients undergoing VNUS Closure for varicose veins. As you can see, pain, fatigue, and edema are all greatly reduced following treatment and remained at a significantly reduced level for the entire duration of the VNUS Closure study. For more information about varicose veins, click here to download a patient brochure containing frequently asked questions, diagrams of leg veins, and info about whether you may be a candidate for treatment.

As with any medical procedure, there are some risks involved, and not everyone is a candidate for Closure in Orange County. Varicose veins that are very large or extensive may require ambulatory phlebectomy. Dr. Fischel or Dr. Maurice will discuss all of your options with you, and will help you decide on the appropriate course of treatment.

To find out if Closure is right for you, click here to request a consultation with one of the surgeons at Orange County Laser and Vein Rejuvenation Specialists. Or you can call our offices at 714-954-0270 to schedule an appointment.