Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins Now Available in the North West

Surgicare, the Northenden-based cosmetic surgery and treatments clinic is pioneering a new varicose vein treatment that offers the same benefits as conventional surgery.

The clinic, which has successfully operated on over 8,000 varicose vein patients since 1992, has just launched Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) and so far three Manchester people have tried the new treatment.

The advantage this treatment has over traditional surgery is that it is conducted under a local anaesthetic, takes around 45 minutes and is virtually pain-free. Patients can go home after only two hours.

This is good news for the one in four people1 who suffer from unsightly and uncomfortable varicose veins. The news is also welcomed by sufferers with varicose veins who are no longer eligible to be treated by the NHS. Varicose veins are often seen as a low priority procedure for the NHS and may be performed by a junior member of the surgical team. The NHS has cut varicose vein surgery by over 30% since 19982 and tends to only offer treatment to people with obvious complications (e.g. people whose varicose veins bleed or cause ulcers).

However, a large percentage of the population, both men and women, are affected by varicose veins, which can cause anxiety about the way they look as well as physical symptoms such as swollen and achy legs.

Leading UK varicose vein surgeon, Keith Rose MB FRCS, from Surgicare says ‘Varicose veins affect men and women alike, the average age of Surgicare patients is just 35. Women tend to get them after pregnancy.

For many people, varicose veins affect their lifestyle. I have seen patients who have never been on holiday abroad because they won’t wear clothing that shows their legs. Varicose vein surgery produces immediate results and can completely change a person’s life.’

Varicose veins are caused by faulty valves in the veins that should only let blood flow in one direction - towards the heart. If the valves do not close, blood can flow backwards and pool in the veins, which causes bulging and twisted veins that you can see though the skin.

Treatments Currently Available

There are four main ways of treating varicose veins:

1. Conventional Surgery

There are a number of methods to remove varicose veins via conventional surgery. Normally surgery is conducted under a general anaesthetic and takes between one and two hours, with an overnight stay. The most common operation involves tying off and pulling out the main surface vein that runs up the inside of a leg (usually between the groin and the knee). The surgeon may also make lots of tiny cuts (about 5mm long) down the leg and use a hook to remove smaller varicose veins.

2. Injection Treatments (Sclerotherapy)

This is a cheap, quick and easy treatment than can be conducted in the out patient clinic. It involves injecting the varicose vein with a chemical that damages its lining and makes it collapse inwards. A scar forms inside and blocks the vein, which then fades within a few weeks. However, medical studies have shown that varicose veins tend to come back (new) and about half to two-thirds of people get some skin discolouration after the injections3.

3. Radiofrequency Treatment

This method involves a surgeon making a small incision by the knee and inserting a probe in the vein. An electric current is then passed through the probe, which heats the vein from the inside and seals it off. However, there has never been a medical trial to compare this method to conventional surgery and experts believe that if the patient is anesthetised anyway, the vein should be totally removed to avoid it reopening.

4. Laser Treatment (EVLT)

In 2000 a radiologist in New York looked at using laser treatment. The trial results were published in November 2005 and showed that this method is extremely safe and the results were as good as surgical removal (patients were monitored up to 3 years after laser treatment). This method involves making a small incision, above the knee, and inserting a tiny optical fibre though the varicose vein under ultrasound control. The damaged vein is then closed off and collapses by using laser light to deliver energy to heat the vein wall. This is the new treatment now being offered by Surgicare.

Dispelling the Myths

Surgicare’s expert surgeon, Keith Rose MB FRCS, is one of the UK’s leading authorities on varicose veins and he provides comment on some of the old wives tales surrounding the condition:

Standing up all of the time causes varicose veins

There is a common belief that if you have a job that requires standing up all day, e.g. hairdressers, you are more likely to get varicose veins. However, standing up for long periods of time does not cause varicose veins; the only thing it may contribute to is aching or developing varicose veins at a younger age.

Obesity is likely to cause varicose veins

These types of veins are nothing to do with weight, blood pressure or smoking. Obese people tend to have their varicose veins concealed by fat, so if they lose weight the veins will be a lot more noticeable.

You shouldn’t cross your legs, as it causes varicose veins

This is a common myth that is untrue.

Varicose Veins can be cured without treatment

Exercise can help but does not prevent or treat varicose veins. There are also a number of diet supplements that claim to help but none of them have been proven to work. However, you can reduce the symptoms and try and prevent the onset of varicose veins by wearing support tights/ stockings. Also, nowadays, there are surgical stockings available that are indistinguishable from high-street fashion, so you can wear them without feeling self-conscious.

The new EVLT surgery costs from £1800 for one leg or £2300 for two legs; payment plans are available. For more information please contact Surgicare on 0800 622222 or visit www.manchestervaricoseveincentre.co.uk.

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

Before and after images are available and interviews can be set up with:

Mark Bury, Chief Executive, Surgicare
Keith Rose MB FRCS, specialist varicose vein surgeon
Professor Charles McCollum MD FRCS, Professor of Surgery at the University of Manchester

For more information please contact Danielle Newman or Tanya Arturi, Pazang PR, tel: 0845 090 0171 or email danielle.newman@pazang.co.uk / tanya@pazang.co.uk

References

Clinical research papers from authorities such as NICE are available on request.

1. Lee AJ, Lowe GDO, Rumley A, Ruckley CV, Fowkes FGR (2000) Haemostatic factors and risk of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency: Edinburgh vein study. Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis 11(8):pp. 775-781.

2. Statistics based on Hospital Episode Statistics, 1998-99 and 2004-05. Comparison of finished episodes of the ligation of varicose vein of leg ligation of long saphenous vein and other operations on varicose vein of leg stripping of long saphenous vein

3. Goldman MP, Weiss RA, Bergan JJ. (1994) Diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins: a review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 31:393-413.