Varicose Veins and Venous Insufficiency

At Randolph Health two cutting-edge procedures are used to treat varicose veins and venous insufficiency:

Endovenous Thermal Ablation

At Randolph Health, our experienced interventional radiologist can eliminate varicose veins and venous insufficiency through endovenous thermal ablation. During this procedure an ultrasound is used to guide a small catheter, or tiny tube, through the varicose vein. Multiple needle sticks up and down the leg are necessary to numb the vein and protect the skin. The catheter delivers just the right amount of heat to cause the vein to close. Because the catheter is totally contained within the vein, it poses minimal risks to surrounding structures.

The body will then automatically route the blood from the legs through other healthy veins, back to the heart. This will not only treat the large varicose veins, but will also eliminate many of the smaller unsightly veins.

During the procedure it is not uncommon to feel some unfamiliar sensations, but it should not be painful. After the procedure there will be slight swelling, and minor bruising may occur, but these symptoms will resolve quickly. Compression stockings are worn following the procedure.

VenaSeal

Randolph Health is one of only two sites in North Carolina selected to offer a newly FDA-approved procedure to treat varicose veins in patients with venous insufficiency. Our experienced interventional radiologist is one of only a few conducting this procedure. This new procedure, VenaSeal, not only has great outcomes (97 percent successful vein closure at three months), but it minimizes patient discomfort and reduces recovery time.

After an initial assessment and ultrasound to verify the need for the procedure, patients will receive an injection to numb the area, and then the physician will insert a catheter into the vein where small amounts of medical adhesive will be injected, closing the vein. Unlike other vein procedures, VenaSeal is done without using heat and therefore without the need for multiple needle sticks up and down the leg to numb the vein and protect the skin. This results in less pain and bruising after the procedure and means patients can immediately return to work or life following the procedure. Also, patients aren't burdened with wearing compression hose for weeks or months—they don't need to wear them at all and are free to return back to life.

VenaSeal is the first patient-friendly vein procedure that provides immediate results: less or no pain, return to work/life following the procedure and the elimination of compression hose. You don't need a physician referral, but you will need to pay out of pocket, as insurance doesn't cover this service. For some, the out-of-pocket costs might be too much, but with the growing number of high-deductible health plans in the marketplace, this service is competitively priced with other vein treatment options at $3,595. The only additional costs will include a physician consult and an ultrasound, which most insurance plans will cover.