Radiofrequency Ablation :

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. (Ablation means a doctor uses heat to damage tissue, which makes scar tissue form. This scar tissue closes the vein.) This technique uses radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) to heat up and damage the wall inside a vein. This usually closes off a varicose vein in the leg.

To treat a varicose vein, radiofrequency energy is directed through a thin tube (catheter) inserted through a small incision in the vein. It can be used on large veins in the leg and can be done in an office setting using local anesthesia or a mild sedative. You will be able to walk following the treatment and recovery typically is short.

After treatment, you will wear compression stockings for 1 week or more. To follow up, your doctor will use duplex ultrasound to make sure that the vein is closed.

Possible side effects of radiofrequency ablation include :

• Skin burns.
• Feelings of burning, pain, or prickling after recovery, from nerve damage (less likely than after vein stripping surgery).
• Small or large blood clotting in the vein or a deep vein (less likely than after vein stripping surgery).

The more experience your doctor has had with radiofrequency, the less risk you are likely to have. Talk to your doctor about how often these side effects happen in his or her practice.

Small Tube(Sheath) introduced into the Varicose Vein below the knee

Radio Frequency catheter introduced through the sheath

The tip of the catheter is heated and the vein is ablated by gradually pulling the catheter out. The vein is blocked completely and the sheath is removed. There will be no scar since there is no cutting or suturing