VenaSeal System for treating Varicose Veins in Lakeland, FloridaVaricose veins are often dismissed as only a cosmetic problem, and many people living with them do not seek treatment. The good news is that the VenaSeal treatment option is available at the Novus Spine & Pain Center vein clinic and is often a better option than invasive treatments like vein stripping.

Today, non-invasive varicose vein treatments are often more effective and require little to no recovery time. Popular new varicose vein treatments like sclerotherapy and endovenous laser treatment can be performed in the doctor’s office.

One of the newest treatments available at the vein clinic is the VenaSeal closure system, the only non-thermal system for treating varicose veins. It does not use an irritant solution to destroy veins, nor does it require the use of large volumes of diluted anesthetic (tumescent anesthesia) common with some varicose vein treatments. As a result, patient discomfort is reduced compared to other treatments.

The VenaSeal system uses a proprietary medical adhesive to seal the vein. This unique approach eliminates the risk of nerve injury, which can happen with some thermal-based procedures. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed data from clinical studies and found the procedure safe and effective for removing superficial varicose veins.

In This Article:

What Is VenaSeal?

Approved by the FDA in 2015, the VenaSeal closure system treats venous reflux disease, which is often the underlying cause of chronic pain from varicose veins. It is the only non-thermal, non-sclerosant (an injected irritant) procedure approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. for closing diseased veins.

VenaSeal is different from procedures using drugs, laser, radio waves, or cuts in the skin to close or remove veins. The procedure does not require multiple injections of anesthesia, and there is no need to take any medication before the procedure.

  • The VenaSeal system requires only a tiny cut in the skin that does not require stitches.
  • The vein is sealed with a small amount of medical glue that blocks and closes the vein.
  • Blood flow reroutes naturally through nearby healthy veins.
  • The body naturally absorbs the adhesive over time.
  • The procedure does not cause any mechanical or thermal damage to the body.

How Does VenaSeal Work?

The VenaSeal procedure begins with an ultrasound to locate damaged veins for treatment since all varicose veins are not visible through the skin. After locating which veins should be treated, a local anesthetic numbs the area for the procedure.

The doctor inserts a catheter (small hollow tube) into the damaged vein using ultrasound for guidance. Once in place, a special medical adhesive is injected from the catheter into the diseased vein, which seals the vein and prevents blood from flowing through it in the future.

As the medical adhesive is dispensed, the doctor compresses the leg to help seal the vein. After the procedure, a small bandage is placed over the incision. By stopping blood flow through the damaged veins and preventing future blood flow in those veins, varicose veins disappear.

The entire procedure is designed to minimize patient discomfort and reduce recovery time. Patients are able to return to normal activities following the procedure. Additionally, there is minimal bruising following the VenaSeal procedure.

Advantages of VenaSeal

The VenaSeal closure system is safe and effective, with significant advantages over other varicose vein treatments.

A significant advantage is that VenaSeal does not require heat to close a vein. Thermal procedures require a large volume of numbing medicine, which is injected through many needle sticks. These injections can cause pain and bruising following the procedure. The intense heat used in thermal procedures carries a risk of skin burns and nerve damage.

Other advantages include:

  • A single VenaSeal treatment may be all that is needed to eradicate varicose veins. Other treatment types often require multiple treatments before veins disappear entirely.
  • In many cases, patients do not need to wear compression stockings following the VenaSeal procedure.
  • The VenaSeal closure system is designed to reduce recovery time. Many patients return to normal activity immediately after the procedure.
  • Most patients report little-to-no bruising after the VenaSeal closure system procedure.
  • VenaSeal does not require large surgical incisions, or anesthesia, so recovery from the procedure is typically quick and painless.

Clinical trials showed that veins were still closed in 93 percent of patients a year after the VenaSeal procedure. These results are similar to other therapies, such as laser and radiofrequency treatments.

Alternatives to the VenaSeal Closure System

Every patient is different. The VenaSeal closure system works best with certain types of varicose veins. Should the VenaSeal system not be the right procedure for a specific patient, there are several treatment options available for varicose veins that include:

  • Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) uses targeted laser energy to heat a vein from the inside, causing it to collapse quickly and eventually disappear.
  • Endovenous radiofrequency ablation, which uses radiofrequency energy to heat the vein and cause it to collapse.
  • Sclerotherapy, in which the vein is destroyed with an injected irritant.

VenaSeal has been proven safe in clinical trials. As with any medicine, there is a small chance that some individuals may be allergic to the medical adhesive used in the VenaSeal procedure. The doctor can perform a simple test by placing a small amount of the adhesive on the patient’s skin to test for a reaction before performing the procedure.

Novus Spine & Pain Center

Novus Spine & Pain Center is in Lakeland, Florida, and treats patients with chronic pain of varicose veins with numerous therapies, including the VenaSeal closure system. By using a comprehensive approach and cutting-edge therapies, we work together with patients to restore function and regain an active lifestyle while minimizing the need for opiates.

For your convenience, you may schedule an appointment online, request a call back, or call our office at 863-583-4445.

VenaSeal Resources

Nonthermal Vein Closure (Medtronic)
Varicose Veins (Medtronic)
The VenaSeal™ Closure System (American Vein & Vascular Institute)
VenaSeal Closure System (Vein Directory)
Is VenaSeal an Effective Treatment for Varicose Veins? (Varicose Veins)
VeClose trial 12-month outcomes of cyanoacrylate closure versus radiofrequency ablation for incompetent great saphenous veins (Science Direct)
Successful use of VenaSeal system for the treatment of large great saphenous vein of 2.84-cm diameter (PubMed)
FDA Approves New Varicose Vein Treatment (Medscape)
Premarket Approval (PMA) (FDA)

Updated: July 9, 2021