Varicose Vein Treatment

At Yarra Vascular Surgeons you will receive a comprehensive evaluation which includes, in most locations, an on site venous ultrasound scan. After a thorough assessment of your condition and investigations, our vascular surgeons will advise you of the best treatment option for you. In some cases, a non operative approach may be the best option, whilst in others, treatment may be required to prevent further deterioration and complications.

Our surgeons are highly skilled in performing both minimally invasive varicose vein treatments including the latest radio frequency ablation (RFA), glue, and laser techniques. In most cases, these procedures can be done as a day procedure and you will be able to go home the same day. In certain circumstances, an open surgical procedure may be recommended to treat the veins sufficiently.

Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous (inside the vein) ablation involves placing a catheter/probe inside the vein which then generates heat to ‘burn’ the vein from the inside in order to permanently seal off the vein and preventing it from filling up.

The two most commonly used techniques on the market use heat produced by radiofrequency or laser. At Yarra Vascular Surgeons, we focus predominantly on radiofrequency ablation as the results from large studies have shown that radiofrequency ablation is superior to laser ablation notably with respect to reducing pain, bruising, swelling and nerve damage.

Yarra Vascular Surgeons also offers glue ablation which is the latest technique that uses glue to seal the vein instead of heat. It is recommended in select circumstances.

What to expect?

The radiofrequency ablation procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anaesthesia in the procedure rooms at one of our locations. Depending on the size and length of the veins to be treated, the procedure can take approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

Initially the veins are marked and confirmed with ultrasound. An injection of a blood thinning medication is injected in the lower abdomen to reduce the risk of developing clots. A local anaesthetic is used for the initial injection into the vein to introduce the catheter/probe. A cold local anaesthetic solution is then infiltrated on the inside part of the leg and thigh which is used to numb the area and also to act as a heat ‘barrier’ for the ablative heat procedure. The catheter/probe then delivers heat to ‘burn’ the vein and causes it to seal off. This is performed in a graduated, step wise fashion to ensure even and complete treatment of the entire vein segment. Once completed, additional varicose veins are injected with foam sclerotherapy to achieve the desired result.

The injections sites are covered with small pressure pad dressings. After the completion of the procedure, we will show you how to apply and wear an appropriately fitted class II compression stocking.

The compression stocking should be worn during the day for approximately four to six weeks but can be removed for showering/bathing and they do not need to be worn to sleep.

You will need someone to drive you home from the procedure.

After the procedure when you go home

• Some mild bruising and skin irritation can be expected from the injection sites.
• Mild blistering can occur at the injection sites which will settle down over time.
• Mild pain and tenderness along the injected vein can occur and this is a normal inflammatory reaction which generally settles down with simple oral anti-inflammatory medication or anti-inflammatory cream
• Lumpiness and firmness can occur along the main veins treated and also the varicose veins, which is a normal reaction which will settle down with time
• Walking for at least 30 minutes per day is recommended to reduce the risk of developing clots in the legs
• Swimming and vigorous exercise should be avoided initially until your review appointment
• Normal activities can be resumed the next day
  • If you develop any of the following please contact the rooms to speak with one of our staff
    • Significant rash
    • Significant pain/swelling of the leg/foot/injection sites
    • Significant breakdown of the skin
    • Significant redness or discharge from the injection sites

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound techniques can be used to help target any feeding veins that are not visible from the surface of the skin that may be contributing to the development of the varicose veins. These veins are injected with a sclerosant which is a liquid that is made up to a foam consistency that once injected, displaces the blood away and causes a reaction to the wall of the veins, eventually leading them to close and collapse.

What to expect?

Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anaesthesia in the procedure rooms at one of our locations. Depending on the size and length of the veins to be treated, the procedure can take approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

Initially the veins are marked and confirmed with ultrasound. Foam sclerosant is injected using ultrasound guidance into the targeted veins. The foam is visible on ultrasound in real time and ensures precise injection into the targeted veins.

The injections sites are covered with small pressure pad dressings. After the completion of the procedure, we will show you how to apply and wear an appropriately fitted class II compression stocking.

The compression stocking should be worn during the day for approximately two to four weeks but can be removed for showering/bathing and they do not need to be worn to sleep.

You will need someone to drive you home from the procedure.

After the procedure when you go home

• Some mild bruising and skin irritation can be expected from the injection sites.
• Mild blistering can occur at the injection sites which will settle down over time.
• Mild pain and tenderness along the injected vein can occur and this is a normal inflammatory reaction which generally settles down with simple oral anti-inflammatory medication or anti-inflammatory cream
• Lumpiness and firmness can occur along the main veins treated and also the varicose veins, which is a normal reaction which will settle down with time
• Walking for at least 30 minutes per day is recommended to reduce the risk of developing clots in the legs
• Swimming and vigorous exercise should be avoided initially until your review appointment
• Normal activities can be resumed the next day
  • If you develop any of the following please contact the rooms to speak with one of our staff
    • Significant rash
    • Significant pain/swelling of the leg/foot/injection sites
    • Significant breakdown of the skin
    • Significant redness, lumpiness or discharge from the injection sites

Varicose Veins Stripping

Although most of our patients are suitable and get excellent results with minimally invasive techniques - there are some patients where open surgery is more suitable and produces the best results. The traditional varicose veins stripping involves removing the veins through multiple incisions in the groin, thigh and leg. It is a more involved procedure compared to minimally invasive techniques and is performed in hospital with anaesthetic.

What to expect?

Varicose veins stripping is generally performed with an anaesthetic in a hospital setting. It can be done as a day procedure for one leg, but we generally recommend an overnight stay if both legs are being treated.

An incision is generally performed in the groin, and the superficial incompetent vein is disconnected. This vein is then removed from the leg through another small incision further down the thigh or leg. Smaller incisions are made over the varicose veins and are removed. The incisions are closed and waterproof dressings are placed. The leg is usually wrapped with a compression dressings involving multiple layers.

Once you wake from the anaesthetic, you will be monitored for a short period in the recovery bay. Depending on your recovery, you can go home later the same day or the next morning.

After the procedure when you go home?

• The compression dressing applied in hospital should remain on the leg until your review appointment in a few days
• If the dressing comes off or becomes loose please contact the rooms and speak with one of our staff
• Mild pain and tenderness along the incisions can occur and this is a normal reaction which generally settles down with simple analgesics and oral anti-inflammatory medication
• You will have to keep the compression dressing dry, so showering/bathing may be difficult and we recommend sponge bathing or placing the leg in a waterproof plastic for showering
• After the initial review appointment, the dressings will be reviewed and will we will show you how to apply and wear an appropriately fitted class II compression stocking.
• The compression stocking should be worn during the day for approximately four to six weeks but can be removed for showering/bathing and they do not need to be worn to sleep.
• Walking for at least 30 minutes per day is recommended to reduce the risk of developing clots in the legs
• Swimming and vigorous exercise should be avoided initially until your review appointment
• Normal activities can be resumed the next day
• If you develop any of the following please contact the rooms to speak with one of our staff
  • Significant rash
  • Significant pain/swelling of the leg/foot/incision sites
  • Significant breakdown of the skin
  • Significant redness or discharge from the incision sites