Healthy leg veins contain valves that open and close to assist the return of blood back to the heart.   Venous reflux disease develops when the valves that keep blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart become damaged or diseased.   As a result, vein valves will not close properly, leading to symptoms of varicose veins, pain, swollen limbs, leg heaviness and fatigue, and skin changes and skin ulcers.

The Closure Procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.   Using ultrasound, our physician will position the Closure Catheter into the vein wall, through a small opening in the skin.   The tiny catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall.   As the (rf) energy is delivered and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close.   Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.

Following   the procedure, a bandage is placed over the insertion site, and additional compression may be provided to aid healing.   Your doctor may encourage you to walk, and to refrain from extended standing and strenuous activities for a short period of time.

Patients who undergo the Closure procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.

• Experience less post-operative pain and bruising
• Resume normal activities within one day
• Return to work more than a week earlier than vein stripping patients

To achieve good cosmetic outcome, adjunctive treatments may be performed either at the same time or following the Closure procedure.   To address visible varicosities, ambulatory phlebectomy may be performed.   To treat purple or red "spider veins," your physician may perform sclerotherapy.   Through these procedures, diseased and noticeable veins are removed or collapsed, to improve the cosmetic appearance of your legs.