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Originally published in VitalStatistics by Henrico Doctors

Charles F. Gould, MD, offers Closure® Option for Venous Reflux

I have been performing the minimally invasive Closure® procedure by VNUS® Medical Technologies, Inc., since November 2005, to provide quick relief of troublesome symptoms of venous reflux and varicose veins. We have performed over 3000 cases.

How Closure Works
A tiny catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening. Radiofrequency energy is transmitted through the catheter to the vein wall, which causes it to collapse and seal shut.

Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from the legs. As normal venous flow is re-established, symptoms including, pain, edema, cellulitis, leg ulcerations, and varicose veins improve dramatically.

The complete procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes. Following the treatment, patients are asked to wear compression stockings and refrain from long periods of standing for several days to help speed recovery. most patients resume normal activities in 1 – 2 days.

Personalized Treatment
The Richmond Vein Center, a division of West End Surgical, is located on the Henrico Doctors’ Hospital – Parham campus in Suite 102 of Medical Office Building III. The Richmond Vein Center exclusively treats patients with venous disorders, primarily of the legs, which include: varicose veins, painful, aching leg syndromes, cellulitis and related venous skin ulcers, as well as spider veins.

Each case begins with a complete review of the patient’s history and symptoms. After a thorough physical examination of the legs, the patient is given a Doppler ultrasound examination to identify specific areas of venous reflux or valve failure. That information enables the physician to determine exactly how the venous reflux developed and to select the most effective method of treatment.

CLOSURE® PROCEDURE OVERVIEW (Image above, right)
The VNUS® Closure® procedure, an alternative to traditional vein stripping surgery, brings state-of-the-art technology to an age-old disease. It was first used clinically in 1999, and has been performed over 250,000 times worldwide. It is an outpatient procedure done in the office using local anesthesia.