Most of the patients suffering of varicose veins are women.  It is not only a cosmetic problem, but pain can be so strong sometimes that patients can't even do some of their regular activities during the day due to legs or feet pain.  A new short outpatient procedure is being used now, it is based on a next generation radiofrequency catheter with inmediate results. 

The cause is usually leaky valves in the saphenous veins of the leg that prevent the blood from flowing back up to the heart.  With time, veins bulge and ore often painful.  People with the highest risk for it includes pregnant women, chefs, nurses, waitresses, hair dressers and others whose jobs require prolonged sitting or standing.

The catheter used in this new technique is called VNUS Closure FASTTM ablation catheter.  Phillip Levin, M.D., a surgeon at Cedars-Sinai medical center in Southerns California said that "the operating time with the new catheter is less than half of what it was with the earlier generation catheter... (the previous catheter) could take as long as 45 minutes to an hour, the same procedure now takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete and the 98% success rate is the same".

During the procedure the surgeon inserts a small catheter into the vein via a needle stick under ultrasound guidance.  The catheter delivers radiofrequency heat to the vein wall, causing it to shrink and close.  Once the vein collapses, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.  Usually, no stitches are needed.  Patient's leg is wrapped in a thick ace type bandage that needs to be worn for 2 to 3 days.  After the patient recovers from the IV sedation, is cleared to leave the hospital.  Some return to work the same day, the only restriction is to avoid running or bouncing for about 10 days.  Patients reports minimal pain and bruising.

Some of the previous treatments required general anesthesia and extended hospital stay, a lengthly recovery and significant swelling, bruising and pain.

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