Reticular veins are the green veins that are larger than spider veins but smaller than varicose veins. They are usually located on the lateral part of the thigh and legs are are frequently the feeding veins of large clusters of spider veins. These veins do not protrude from the surface of the skin and often need to be illuminated with special lights. If these veins are left untreatedspider therapy will usually be ineffective.

Two Reticular Veins Treatments

Treatment of these veins can usually be divided into two methods: injection with a scleroscent solution or removal through very tiny incisions using a technique called microphlebectomy.

Injection with a scleroscent

The scleroscent is directly injected into the vein as a liquid or foam. Generally, the liquid is a less dilute is the solution and will reduce the risk of possible skin complications which includes staining, hyper pigmentation and necrosis, but will require more treatment sessions. The results will also depend on the diameter of the veins. 

Microphlebectomy

Microphlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure which is performed using local anesthesia and tiny incisions that are essentially punctures. The veins are then removed using a small hook and pulling the vein out in sections through the small punctures in the skin. There is usually either minimal or no bleeding and the incisions do not require stitches to close only a steri-strip. The leg is then wrapped for 48 hours and then the patient can remove the wrapping and use a compression stocking. There is no downtime and patients can usually resume their normal activities immediately. There are minimal risks especially to the skin. There is usually minimal or no scarring with an immediate excellent clinical and cosmetic result.

Your  Reticular Veins Treatment Choices, Hudson Valley, New York

The choice which procedure to use will usually be based on the size of the veins and experience of the treating phlebologist. My current preference is to perform a microphlebectomy to treat these veins, especially when the reticular veins are larger and more prominent. 

Learn more about your options for Reticular Veins Treatment, contact our Hudson Valley, New York office at 888-359-9462 today.

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Two FDA Approved Solutions for Sclerotherapy

Two solutions currently approved by the FDA for sclerotherapy are sotradecol and polidocanol. They are structurally related mild medical detergents.
Both sotradecol and polidocanol can be altered from the liquid form into a foam. This is done by mixing it with room air or a physiologic gas (carbon dioxide) in a syringe by pumping it from one syringe into another.

Why Foam Sclerotherapy if more effective

The foamed solution is a more effective scleroscent because it is able to dislodge the blood from the veins rather than mixing with it and is also able to remain in contact with the vein wall longer allowing it to be more effective. This is especially useful in larger diameter and longer veins. It creates an inflammatory reaction inside the vein which seals it. Because of that, it is a very effective sclerotherapy treatment when combined with ultrasound in a technique called ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. This technique uses an ultrasound to visualize the larger refluxing veins beneath the skin to be treated. The vein can the be directing injected with the foamed scleroscent using a syringe. The foamed solution which is made up of micro bubbles is very easily visualized on ultrasound.

Minimizing Foam Sclerotherapy Complications

Complications of foam sclerotherapy include the possibility of skin necrosis, hyper pigmentation of the skin, phlebitis, deep vein thrombosis and visual complications. There has been a case report of a stroke following foam sclerotherapy. Skin complications usually do not occur when the foam scleroscent is properly injected into the vein. Complications of foam sclerotherapy can be minimized by using a more diluted concentration and a lower volume of scleroscent.

Hudson Valley, New York Foam Sclerotherapy

Learn more about your options for Foam Sclerotherapy, contact our Hudson Valley, New York office at 888-359-9462 today.

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Venous Reflux is Backward Flowing Blood Circulation

Venous Reflux or Venous Incompetence occurs when the valves in the leg veins are not closing properly. When someone stands up, gravity forces the blood in the leg veins down toward the foot. The little valves in the leg veins close when the pressure becomes high and prevents blood from going in the wrong direction which is down.

Symptoms of Venous Reflux

When the valves are incompetent they do not close properly and allow blood to go in the reverse direction which is called reflux. This increased pressure in the vein results in the bulging tributary veins. Venous reflux also causes aching, throbbing, swelling and the other symptoms associated with venous insufficiency. Venous reflux disease commonly results in varicose veins, the swollen and discolored superficial leg veins that affect more than 25 million Americans.

How to diagnose Venous Reflux?

Venous reflux is diagnosed using an ultrasound which bounces sound waves off of the deeper structures in the legs and forms an image. It also shows and measures the amount of reflux by using color flow and doppler. Venous incompetence of the superficial veins can be easily treated by removing these veins from the circulation, but incompetence in the deep veins is very difficult to treat.

Learn more about What is Venous Reflux? at Premier Vein Centers Hudson Valley, New York

Let a Heart Surgeon answer your Leg Veins Removal question

Luckily for us, my being a physician who is board certified in thoracic surgery and having practiced cardiac surgery for over 20 years, means that we have more insight into this issue of leg veins removal and coronary artery surgery than most.

Newer and More Common Procedures do not use Leg Veins

Yes, the great saphenous leg vein is still the most common conduit used for coronary artery bypass surgery. But, there are more and more arterial grafts being performed. In addition there is less and less coronary artery surgery being performed because of better risk factor control, better medications and stenting.

If You Have Varicose Veins Your Saphenous Vein May Not be the Best Choice

The saphenous veins of patients with venous insufficiency and varicose veins are diseased and extremely large which make them poor conduits. Because their diameters are so large the velocity of flow in the vein is slow which leads to early graft closure.

Don’t Worry about Leg Veins Removal

Therefore this should be of no concern to patients suffering from varicose vein disease and want their leg veins removed. In addition, the venous ablation is often performed at or a little below the level of the knee which leaves the saphenous vein in the lower leg which is usually smaller if needed.

Learn more about Leg Veins Removal and Coronary Artery Surgery at Premier Vein Centers Hudson Valley, New York

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