At the Iowa Clinic Vein Therapy Center, we offer a variety of minimally-invasive therapies to help treat your vein disorders. From varicose veins to spider veins, our IAC accredited facility and providers will offer you an array of options that fit your personal needs and schedule.
Endovenous Ablation
An endovenous ablation is a minimally-invasive treatment for varicose veins. Using a thin, flexible tube called a catheter, our surgeons insert the catheter into the vein and use two forms of energy, either radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or Endovenous Laser (EVLT), to seal the diseased vein shut.
Once the vein is sealed shut, blood then travels through other veins back to the heart, causing the treated vein to dry up, shrink and be absorbed by the body.
Microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy uses a series of tiny incisions to permanently remove varicose veins at, or near, the skin's surface. Performed under local anesthesia and in an outpatient setting, microphlebectomy may also be used in conjunction with sclerotherapy or EVLT to treat any remaining varicose veins. While not all varicose veins may be suitable for this form of treatment, for those that are, microphlebectomy provides virtually no scarring or skin discoloration following treatment.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy helps with the treatment of varicose veins and smaller varicose veins, known as spider veins.
At the time of treatment, a solution is injected into the varicose vein using a needle, causing the vein to scar and direct blood flow through healthy veins nearby. Following the injection, the treated vein fades over several weeks. Additional sclerotherapy treatments may be needed to provide additional fading.
While this form of treatment typically has limited side effects, darkened skin, bruising and small sores can happen in the area of injection but usually disappear in the days and weeks following treatment.
Suction Phlebectomy
Suction Phlebectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that removes varicose veins using only two to three incisions.
Usually performed under local anesthesia, suction phlebectomy was developed by a surgeon and uses light under the skin to highlight the targeted veins. Once the vein is identified, the surgeon will use an additional tool to break up the vein and suction out the remaining fragments. After the vein and fragments are removed, the area is flushed with a mild anesthetic.
With a shorter procedure time compared to other conventional treatments, suction phlebectomy also has a faster recovery with fewer incisions and an overall successful, long-term cosmetic result. Temporary bruising, inflammation or numbness may occur at the treatment site.