Treatment Facts

Since valves can't be repaired, the only alternative is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically removing (stripping) the troublesome vein from your leg.

Venefit™ Therapy provides a less invasive alternative to vein stripping by simply closing the problem vein instead. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs.

During a stripping procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and ties off the vein, after which a stripper tool is threaded through the saphenous vein and used to pull the vein out of your leg through a second incision just above your calf.

In Venefit™ Therapy, there is no need for groin surgery. Instead, the vein remains in place and is closed using a special catheter inserted through a small puncture. This may eliminate the bruising and pain often associated with vein stripping.

Vein stripping is usually performed in an operating room under general anaesthetic, while Venefit™ Therapy is performed on an outpatient basis, typically using local or regional anaesthesia. In the multi-centre comparative trial, 80.5% of patients treated with Venefit™ Therapy returned to normal activities within one day, versus 46.9% of patients who underwent vein stripping. Venefit™ Therapy patients also returned to work 7.7 days sooner.

Lurie F, et al. Prospective randomized study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration (Closure) versus ligation and stripping (EVOLVES study). J Vasc Surg 2003;38:207–14.

Venefit™ Therapy typically takes about 3–5 minutes, though patients normally spend around 30 minutes at the medical facility due to normal pre- and post-treatment procedures.

Patients report feeling little, if any, pain during Venefit™ Therapy. Your physician will give you a local or regional anaesthetic to numb the treatment area.

Venefit™ Therapy can be performed under local, regional or general anaesthesia.

Many patients can resume normal activities immediately. For a few weeks following the treatment, your doctor may recommend a regular walking regime and suggest you refrain from very strenuous activities (heavy lifting, for example) or prolonged periods of standing.

You will be asked to wear a compression stocking for three weeks following the procedure — during the first week it should be worn all of the time (removing it for bathing), and for the following two weeks just during the day.

Most patients report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms within 1–2 weeks following the procedure.

Patients report minimal to no scarring, bruising, or swelling following Venefit™ Therapy.

As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with Venefit™ Therapy. All patients should consult their doctors to determine if their conditions present any special risks. Your physician will review potential complications at the consultation.

Potential complications can include: vessel perforation, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, haematoma, infection, paraesthesia (numbness or tingling) and/or skin burn.

Only a physician can tell you if Venefit™ Therapy is a viable option for your vein problem. Experience has shown that many patients with superficial venous reflux disease can be treated with this procedure.

The most important step in determining whether Venefit™ Therapy is appropriate for you is a complete ultrasound examination by your physician or qualified clinician. Age alone is not a factor — the therapy has been used to treat patients across a wide range of ages.

Published data suggests that two years after treatment, 90% of treated veins remain closed and free from reflux, the underlying cause of varicose veins.

Merchant RF, DePalma RG, Kabnick LS. Endovascular obliteration of saphenous reflux: a multicenter study. J Vasc Surg 2002;35:1190–6. · Weiss RA, et al. Controlled Radiofrequency Endovenous Occlusion. Dermatologic Surgery, Jan 2002;28:1:38–42. · Whiteley MS, et al. Radiofrequency Ablation of Refluxing Great Saphenous Systems. J Endovasc Ther 2003;10:I-46.

The vein simply becomes fibrous tissue after treatment. Over time, the vein gradually incorporates into surrounding tissue. One study reported that 89% of treated veins are indistinguishable from other body tissue one year after the procedure.

Pichot O, et al. Role of duplex imaging in endovenous obliteration for primary venous insufficiency. J Endovasc Ther 2000;7:451–9.

Many insurance companies pay for the Closure procedure in part or in full. Most determine coverage for all treatments — including Venefit™ Therapy — based on medical necessity. Venefit™ Targeted Endovenous Therapy has positive coverage policies with most major health insurers. Your physician can discuss your insurance coverage at the time of consultation.

98% of patients who have undergone Venefit™ Targeted Endovenous Therapy are willing to recommend it to a friend or family member with similar leg vein problems.

Weiss RA, et al. Controlled Radiofrequency Endovenous Occlusion Using a Unique Radiofrequency Catheter Under Duplex Guidance. Dermatologic Surgery, Jan 2002;28:1:38–42.