Most women develop unattractive red and blue veins on their legs as a result of genetic predisposition, pregnancy and the aging process. These unsightly veins are not needed by the circulatory system, and can be removed without creating a health problem. Most varicose vein problems can now be treated safely, effectively, and practically painlessly with an exciting office procedure called sclerotherapy.
- Treats spider veins
- Treat varicose veins
- Safe and effective
- Non-invasive
- No down time
- Virtually painless
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy, Laser Sclerotherapy, EndoVenous Laser Treatments, Vein Stripping, Ambulatory Phlebectomy, and Surgical Ligation.
Traditional sclerotherapy involves
the use of a very small needle, about the size of a hair, to inject a solution
into unwanted or diseased veins. The solution works by causing an irritation
to the inner lining of the vein, which causes the vein to slowly close off and
gradually disappear. The solution is safe, with few allergic reactions reported.
No anesthetic is necessary. Appointments are normally scheduled approximately
two to four weeks apart. At your initial evaluation, you will be given an estimate
of the number of treatments you might require as well as a statement of our
fee policy.
Most patients with unwanted veins of the legs can undergo conventional sclerotherapy. Patients with genetic tendencies toward excessive clotting or allergies to the medications used would be excluded.
Reduction or elimination of unwanted spider or varicose veins.
Bruising is possible. Ulceration and scar is almost never seen. The specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
After the procedure, patients may return to normal activity immediately, avoiding strenuous exercise for approximately 10-14 days.
The tiny needle poses minimal to no discomfort during this treatment.
Avoidance of blood thinners for one to two weeks before procedure.
Non-buldging veins require no stockings. For patients with bulging veins, special dressings and pressure gradient stockings are placed over the treated legs. Patients are advised to take a brisk 15 to 20 minute walk immediately following sclerotherapy, and then patients can immediately return to work with avoidance of strenuous physical exercise. In two to four weeks, Dr. Berman and/or assistants will examine the treated areas to check the effects of the sclerotherapy treatment, and consider further treatments to other veins if necessary.
Dr. Berman, Physician Assistants and Registered Nurses.
Most PPO Insurance Considers Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy a Covered Benefit: Call Us To Inquire.
Reflux of blood or blood moving in a backwards direction in a vein can be diagnosed with modern ultrasound equipment utilized at our vein center. Once the underlying diseased and refluxing vein is identified by ultrasound, such veins can be treated by sclerotherapy. It is important to understand that if the bigger, underlying and diseased trunks of veins are not treated before the superficial and visible ones are, than a good number of such overlying spider veins would simply return in short order. Ultrasound allows our medical team to better identify and treat the underlying causes of venous diseases, so that we may achieve a better result when managing this common medical condition.
- Ultrasound guidance provides a "window" for treating deep rooted veins
- Removes varicose and spider veins
- Safe and effective
- Non-Invasive
- No down-time
- Virtually Painless
Traditional Sclerotherapy, EndoVenous Laser Treatments (EVLT™), Laser Sclerotherapy, Vein Stripping, Ambulatory Phlebectomy, and Surgical Ligation.
Dr. Berman and assistants obtain a general medical history, followed by detailed examination and mapping of the patient's venous system. Various instruments are used to assess the extent of venous disease, including a doppler listening device, and a color duplex ultrasound machine which provides images of the underlying, diseased veins. A specific treatment plan is then developed, which may include a combination of sclerotherapy injections, Endovenous Laser Treatment (see EVLT™) and compression stocking after-care. Echo-sclerotherapy combines traditional sclerotherapy with ultrasound guidance to better visualize and treat the underlying diseased veins.
Patients with genetic tendencies toward excessive clotting of the blood, or allergies to the injected medications would be excluded.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy can reduce the overall cost of conventional techniques by clearing diseased veins more effectively in fewer sessions.
Bruising is possible. Ulceration and scar is rarely seen. The specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
After the procedure, patients may return to normal activity immediately, avoiding strenuous exercise for approximately 10 to 14 days.
The tiny needle poses minimal to no discomfort during this treatment.
Avoidance of blood thinners for one to two weeks before procedure.
Non-bulging veins require no stockings. After injections, special dressings and pressure gradient stockings are placed over the treated legs. Patients are advised to take a brisk 15 to 20 minute walk immediately following sclerotherapy, and then patients can immediately return to work with avoidance of strenuous physical exercise. In two to four weeks, Dr. Berman and/or assistants will examine the treated areas to check the effects of the sclerotherapy treatment, and consider further treatments to other veins if necessary.
Dr. Berman, Physician Assistants and Registered Nurses.
Most PPO Insurance Considers EVLT a Covered Benefit: Call Us To Inquire.
EVLT™ is a minimally invasive ultrasound-guided laser treatment for the elimination of large varicose veins, such as the greater saphenous vein. The procedure, unlike vein stripping, leaves no scars, and patients usually walk out of our center and return to work the very next day. There is most often a pain free recovery from this procedure, and most patients achieve elimination of painful varicose veins after just one treatment.
This procedure has been featured in many magazines as well as television programs such as Good Morning America, The Today Show, and in Forbes Magazine. Over one million people will annually undergo surgery for varicose veins in America and Europe. A less invasive alternative procedure, performed on an out-patient basis, would make large savings for the healthcare system and in reducing time lost from work.
- Removes larger varicose veins
- One day treatment
- One day recovery
- Patients return to work the next day
- Avoids hospital stay
- Avoids scars
- Avoids one to two week downtime of vein stripping and surgery
Traditional Sclerotherapy, Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy, Laser Sclerotherapy, Vein Stripping, Ambulatory Phlebectomy, Surgical Ligation.
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT™) works by applying laser energy from a Diomed 810nm diode laser via a thin laser fiber directly into the greater saphenous vein. The vein becomes permanently closed off, resulting in elimination of the underlying cause of the varicosities. EVLT™ is an ultrasound-guided procedure with a success rate similar to surgical ligation and vein stripping. The advantages over the older surgical procedures are:
- EVLT™ is a minimally invasive procedure with a single, tiny entry point near the knee which minimizes the risk of scarring and post operative infections
- a local anesthetic is used which eliminates the risks and expense of general anesthesia
- the patient can resume normal activities immediately after treatment
Most patients with unwanted veins of the legs can undergo EVLT™. Patients with genetic tendencies toward excessive clotting of the blood may be excluded.
Reduction or elimination of large varicose veins.
Minimal complications have been seen with EVLT™ showing it to be safe as well as highly effective. The specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
After the procedure, patients may return to normal activity immediately, avoiding strenuous exercise for approximately 10 to 14 days.
Minimal to none. Even EVLT™ procedures result in only minimal discomfort.
Avoidance of blood thinners such as aspirin, Motrin, Naprosyn and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
The local anesthesia will last for about one hour after the procedure. We encourage a small walk around the office immediately after the procedure. After the procedure you will have a stocking on the treated leg for one week. Avoid strenuous aerobic activity for 2 weeks after the procedure. We expect that you will resume most of your pre-procedure activities including work, the day after the procedure. We encourage you to continue moving and walking after the procedure. Discomfort is not unusual after the procedure, and may be alleviated with Motrin or Advil.
Dr. Berman with Physician Assistants and Registered Nurses.
Our center has 11 lasers available every day that are FDA approved to treat leg veins. However, Dr. Berman still considers traditional sclerotherapy and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy the gold standards when treating spider veins and larger varicosities, respectively. Most patients treated at our center undergo a combination of state-of-the-art therapies to best manage their venous disease.
Our center has many leg vein lasers to choose from, including the V Beam Long Pulsed Dye Laser 595nm, the Versapulse Laser 532, 755, 1064nm, the Alexandrite Laser 755nm, 5 LightSheer Diode Lasers 810 nm, the Aura KTP Laser 532, the CoolGlide Excel long pulse laser 1064, and the Quantum SR Intense Pulsed Light Source with multiple wavelengths.
- Treats spider veins
- Treats varicose veins
- Treats red and blue veins
- Safe and effective
- Non Invasive
- No downtime
- Combined with other therapies for optimal results
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy, EndoVenous Laser Treatments, Traditional Sclerotherapy, Surgical Ligation, Vein Stripping, and Ambulatory Phlebectomy.
The tip of the laser has a cooling device to chill and protect the overlying skin. The laser light then passes through the chilled skin and is absorbed by hemoglobin within both red and blue veins. As the hemoglobin heats up, the vein is destroyed by thermal energy, and the remnants of the vein are broken up and eliminated by the body.
Both light and dark complexions may be treated. We even have lasers that can treat tanned legs.
Most patients note a great reduction or complete elimination of unwanted spider and small varicose veins.
Bruising is possible. Ulceration and scar is rare. The specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
After the procedure, patients may return to normal activity immediately, avoiding strenuous exercise for approximately 10-14 days.
Minimal to moderate, depending on the laser device used.
Avoid excessive sun exposure for one month before the treatment.
Pressure gradient stockings are not necessary. Patients can immediately return to work with avoidance of strenuous physical exercise. In two to four weeks, Dr. Berman and/or assistants will examine the treated areas to check the effects of the sclerotherapy treatment, and consider further treatments to other veins if necessary.
Dr. Berman, Physician Assistants and Registered Nurses.
