Venaseal Glue

Of all of the varicose vein procedures, it is perhaps the most minimally invasive.

Venaseal is an FDA approved injectable adhesive or medical grade glue which treats the underlying source of varicose veins.

Those are usually the saphenous veins.

It stops the reversal of venous blood flow or reflux by sealing the vein shut.

www.pittsburghveindoc.com/2016/11/25/venaseal-varicose-vein-glue

If you have painful and visible varicose veins in your legs, Venaseal treatment may be a good choice for you.

Venaseal is a Unique Approach to the Treatment of Varicose Veins

It does not involve heat to close the targeted saphenous vein like the laser or radiofrequency alternatives.

Once the saphenous vein is closed, blood is immediately rerouted to other healthy veins in the leg. Your circulation is improved.

It does not require tumescent anesthesia to numb the vein.

Instead about a teaspoon full of cyanoacrylate glue (the medical equivalent of “Krazy glue” or “Superglue”) is injected inside of the saphenous vein along its length.

No surgery is required.

Clinical trials involving three major studies have proven that it is safe and effective. It is minimally invasive.

Only one spot needs to be numbed in your lower leg to insert the catheter into the saphenous vein.

That means all you feel in the way of discomfort is one pinch.

However, usually the visible bulging veins will not disappear completely. Later either sclerotherapy (injections) or phlebectomy (removal of the actual varicose veins on the skin through mini incisions) are usually required later.

According to the studies done, 94.3% of patient’s veins treated with Venaseal remained closed after two years.

The Venaseal Procedure

After the catheter entry site is numb with a small amount of local anesthesia, a catheter is inserted into the saphenous vein under ultrasound guidance.

This entrance site is usually below your knee.

When the catheter is in the correct position, the glue is applied – one drop at a time – along the inside of the vein about an inch or so apart.

The procedure takes about thirty minutes or less. A band aide is applied to the entrance site.

You can resume normal activities and even exercise the same day.

You can’t feel the glue which is inside the vein since it is soft and elastic.

The biggest drawback is that about 10 to 20% of people will develop an inflammatory reaction called phlebitis over the treated vein.

The clinical trials have been extended to five years. Follow up is presently ongoing.

This procedure must be considered as an implantable device.