RECENT ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF VASCULAR CONDITIONS

Varicose Veins

1.Minimally Invasive Treatment Of Varicose Veins

The most common cause of varicose veins is the presence of a valve leak in the superficial vein of the thigh. This can now be treated through a puncture at the knee. This vein in the thigh is then closed internally with application of heat through a wire-like device through a hollow tube placed within the vein.

The advantages are less bruising, shorter recovery time and no wounds bigger than a few millimetres in length.

2. The Treatment Of Spider Veins

Spider veins are unsightly and patients cover up with long pants or skirts. They tend to occur around the ankles, but can occur on the back of the knees or on the thighs. Most can be treated with injection with a sclerosant.

3. Treatment options now include:

a. Laser: CoolGlide
b. Radio-frequency: Vein-wave

These methods can be used as a day surgery procedure. Occasionally, a few sessions may be needed to obtain satisfactory results.

Angioplasty And Stenting

Instead of cutting and sewing to correct blocked or aneurysmal (enlarged) arteries, diseased arteries can be treated through small wounds.

a. Blocked arteries in the legs can be opened with a balloon inserted through the groin.

b. Aneurysms in the abdomen can be repaired with a stent incorporated with a tube made    of polyester.

c.To keep arteries from blocking up after angioplasty, stents are used to work like    scaffoldings to keep them open.