What is Venous Ablation?
Ablation is the most effective treatment for varicose veins and venous disease in the legs. Ablation closes the damaged, non-functioning veins in your legs using a small IV inserted without incisions or scars. Closing damaged veins improves circulation as blood is rerouted to other, functioning veins.
The procedure is short and usually takes less than 20 minutes. Numbing medication is administered which makes treatment relatively painless.
Regular activity can resume immediately following the procedure.
Types of Ablation
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)
Endovenous laser treatment delivers laser energy into the interior of the vein – causing the diseased vein to contract & close. The procedure replaces vein stripping (totally removing the vein from the leg).
Similar to the VNUS procedure, EVLT is largely painless, and patients can leave the procedure without activity limitations.
There are many different types of laser machines. This is of critical importance, as older machines result in unbalanced energy distribution which can lead to significantly more bruising and pain. NYC Surgical Associates uses the latest laser technology for our EVLT procedures.
Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (VNUS Closure)
Endovenous radiofrequency ablation (the ‘Closure’ procedure) is a cutting edge, minimally-invasive vein procedure that has essentially replaced traditional vein surgery or stripping, in a specialists hands.
VNUS Closure uses a small catheter inserted into the vein. This catheter delivers radiofrequency energy into the vein wall, gently warming the vein until it closes down.
Our vein specialists perform endovenous radiofrequency in-office and under local anesthesia. Patients can usually walk and resume normal activity immediately after treatment (commonly with compression stockings in place). If a patient prefers sedation to make them more comfortable, the procedure can also be performed in any of our outpatient surgery centers, located in Manhattan or New Jersey.
No-Knife Endovenous Laser
No-Knife Endovenous Laser uses a small 4-10mm incision to pass a laser or radiofrequency catheter into the blood vessel. Invented by Dr. Greuner, the treatment goes a step further than the technique utilized by even the most experienced minimally invasive surgeons treating venous disease today.
Dr. Greuner and his surgical staff at NYC Surgical Associates go one step further, with the No-Knife Endovenous laser technique. They utilize a special very thin laser fiber that fits directly through a needle (no larger than a needle typically used to draw blood) and the most modern laser technology available today.
With No-Knife Endovenous Laser, NYC Surgical Associates can achieve the same success as traditional ablation without any evidence of a procedure, in the vast majority of cases. This is true even in patients more prone to abnormal scarring.
