What is superficial venous reflux?
Superficial venous reflux is a condition that develops when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs become damaged or diseased. This causes blood to pool in your legs. Common symptoms of superficial venous reflux include pain, swelling, leg heaviness, and fatigue as well as varicose veins in your legs.

How is the Closure procedure different than vein stripping?
During a stripping procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and ties off the veins after which it a stripper tool is threaded through the saphenous vein and used to pull the vein out of you leg through a second incision just above your calf.

In the Closure procedure, there is no need for groin surgery, instead the vein remains in place and is closed using a special (Closure) catheter inserted through a small puncture. This virtually eliminates the bruising and pain often associated with vein stripping (i.e. this may result from the tearing of side branch veins while the saphenous vein is pulled out.) Vein stripping is usually performed in an operating room, under a general anesthetic, while the Closure procedure is performed on an outpatient basis typically using local or regional anesthesia.

Three randomized trials of the Closure procedure vs. vein stripping, including the most recent multi-center comparative trial, show very similar results. In the multi-center comparative trial, the Closure procedure was superior to vein stripping in every statistically significant outcome. In the study, 80.5% of patients treated with the Closure procedure returned to normal activities within one day versus 46.9% of patients who underwent vein stripping. Also, Closure patients returned to work 7.7 days sooner than surgical patients. Patients treated with the Closure procedure had less postoperative pain, less bruising, faster recovery, and fewer overall adverse events.

Is the Closure procedure painful?
Patients report feeling little if any pain during the Closure procedure. Your physician will give you a local or regional anesthetic to numb the treatment area.

How quickly after treatment can I return to normal activities?
Many patients can resume normal activities immediately. Fow a few weeks following the treatment, your doctor may recommend a regular walking regimen and suggest you refrain from very strenuous activities (heavy lifting for example) or prolonged periods of standing.

What is the Closure procedure?
The Closure procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for superficial venous reflux.

A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut.

What are patients saying about the Closure procedure?
Ninety-eight percent of patients who have undergone the Closure procedure are willing to recommend it to a friend or family member with similar leg vein problems.

To hear directly from patients, see "Patient Testimonials."

What if I want more information about the Closure procedure?
If you haven't done so already, read our section, "About Closure" and send us a "Request for Information." To learn more about the VNUS Closure procedure, please click here to download a copy of the patient brochure.

(In order to read the brochure, you will need to have a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Acrobat Reader is available free of charge from Adobe at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

Are there any potential risks and complications associated with the Closure procedure?
As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with the Closure procedure. Each patient should consult their doctor to determine if their condition presents any special risks. Your physician will review potential complications of the Closure procedure at the consultation. Potential complications can include: vessel perforation, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, hematoma, infection, paresthesia (numbness or tingling), skin burn.

Is age an important consideration for the Closure procedure?
The most important step in determining whether or not the Closure procedure is appropriate for you is a complete ultrasound examination by your physician or qualified clinician.

Age alone is not a factor in determing whether or not the Closure procedure is appropriate for you. The Closure procedure has been used to treat patients across a wide range of ages.

How does it work to treat venous insufficiency?
Since valves can't be repaired, the only alternative is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically removing (stripping) the troublesome vein from your leg. The Closure procedure provides a less invasive alternative to vein stripping by simply closing the problem vein instead. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs.

How soon after treatment will my symptoms improve?
Most patients report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms in 1-2 weeks following the procedure.

Is Closure covered by my insurance?
Many insurance companies are paying for the Closure procedure in part or in full. Most insurance companies determine coverage for all treatments, including the Closure procedure, based on medical necessity.

The VNUS Closure procedure has positive coverage policies with many major health insurers.
Your physician can discuss your insurance coverage further at the time of consultation.

How effective is the Closure procedure?
Recently published data suggests that two years after treatment, 90% of the treated veins remain closed and free from reflux, the underlying cause of varicose veins.

Is there any scarring, bruising, or swelling after the Closure procedure?
Patients report minimal to no scarring, bruising, or swelling following the Closure procedure.

Is the Closure procedure suitable for everyone?
Only a physician call tell you if the Closure procedure is a viable option for your vein problem.

How long does the Closure procedure take?
The Closure procedure takes approximately 45 minutes. Plan on spending 2-3 hours at the facility on the day of treatment.