Popular Vein Treatments

Unsightly veins, particularly varicose veins, can go beyond merely bringing on a great deal of embarrassment: they can cause discomfort, heaviness, and in some cases, even potentially serious complications.

Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available to effectively reverse varicose and spider veins. Outlined below are what our board-certified vein doctor, Dr. Scott Darling, here at Missouri Vein Specialists offers our patients. These procedures are minimally invasive and proven safe, and provide symptom relief and exceptional cosmetic outcomes.

Sclerotherapy

Dr. Darling uses sclerotherapy to eliminate small varicose and spider veins. During the procedure, Dr. Darling injects a sclerosing agent into the diseased vein to cause its lining to collapse and seal shut. This, in turn, forces the blood to get rerouted to the surrounding healthy veins. The collapsed vein eventually dissolves and gets reabsorbed in the body.

Depending on the size of your varicose or spider veins, Dr. Darling may recommend several sessions to achieve your desired outcome.

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)

Dr. Darling recommends EVLT for larger varicose veins. Dr. Darling performs EVLT using ultrasound guidance to ensure precision.

During this procedure, Dr. Darling makes a tiny incision through which he passes a thin tube (catheter) into the diseased vein. He monitors the vein on a duplex ultrasound screen, then applies infrared light onto the walls of the vein to seal it shut. Like sclerotherapy, the blood gets redirected into the nearby veins, and the treated vein gradually dissipates and gets absorbed into the body.

After the procedure, Dr. Darling will likely advise that you wear compression stockings and elevate your leg to help alleviate the swelling. You may experience a tight sensation in your leg, but this should subside after a few days.

Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (EVRFA)

EVRFA is another effective solution for unsightly veins. During this procedure, instead of using laser energy, Dr. Darling utilizes radiofrequency energy (also known as thermal energy) to eliminate the diseased vein. EVRFA is administered in a similar fashion: he uses image guidance to insert a thin catheter through a tiny incision in 20-second intervals until the entire diseased vein is treated.

Like laser therapy, the wall of the diseased vein is also sealed shut, then the blood gets rerouted into the nearby healthy veins. The treated vein also eventually dissolves and gets reabsorbed through the body’s own healing mechanisms.

You can anticipate remarkable improvement shortly after EVRFA. Dr. Darling will likely recommend that you keep your leg bandage for up to two days following the procedure and wear compression stockings to facilitate proper healing.

Microphlebectomy

Also referred to as ambulatory phlebectomy, microphlebectomy is a procedure Dr. Darling uses to remove medium-sized or large, complicated varicose veins that cannot be treated with EVRFA.

During this procedure, Dr. Darling marks the bulging veins with a pencil, then anesthetizes the area around the varicose vein. He then creates a slit-like incision, less than ¼ inch, through which he inserts a small hook-like instrument to remove the diseased vein segment by segment.

Just like the other procedures, you will notice significant improvement right after a microphlebectomy. Dr. Darling also recommends keeping the bandage for two days.

To get additional information about these treatment options or to see Dr. Darling, please call our staff at (816) 792-3400, or request an appointment right here on our website.