New Varicose Vein Procedure Tested
Related News: Laser Surgery
A new laser surgery system is being tested that delivers laser energy through a catheter. Duke University Medical Center vascular surgeons are working to treat varicose veins without invasive surgical procedures.
This procedure is so minimal that typically patients are walking within hours after the procedure. The current recover time based on the traditional procedure can involve a six week period of downtime where the treated veins are physically "stripped" out of the leg.
The new methodology involves guiding a catheter through the saphenous vein, or the large leg vein. Within the catheter is a laser that is then used to treat the effected area. This essentially causes the vein to collapse.
When the vein is finally sealed, blood then no longer backs up which is the cause of the bulges that are characteristic of the disease.
Following the procedure, blood from the closed veins is then diverted to other veins.
Posted on April 6, 2006 12:36 PM
