Endovenous Chemical Ablation

During an endovenous chemical ablation, a chemical irritant called a sclerosant is injected under ultrasound guidance into a varicose vein that is not visible to the naked eye while Dr. Robert Cutchen observes the injection process on the ultrasound screen. The sclerosant damages the lining of the vein wall, collapses the vein, and eventually leads to the body reabsorbing the destroyed vein over the course of months.

The path to eliminating your varicose veins begins with your consultation with Dr.Cutchen where he will review your symptoms, medical history and perform a duplex ultrasound. If your symptoms and findings warrant treatment, Dr. Cutchen will recommend a personalized treatment plan based on the results of your diagnostic doppler ultrasound and physical examination that will address all sources of venous reflux in your legs. This particular treatment is ideal for varicose veins that are not visible to the naked eye. Even if these veins are not bulging out, they can still cause symptoms and patients benefit from their elimination.

Endovenous chemical ablation is a safe and effective treatment performed right in the comfort and convenience of our office, just like our other state-of-the-art vein procedures, during a 30-minute appointment. With the patient lying down, we use ultrasound to identify the varicose veins that need treatment. Next, the vein is injected with a foamy, frothy sclerosant under ultrasound guidance, which ensures that Dr. Cutchen accurately and precisely injects the foam into the diseased vein.

Patients can expect to resume normal activities immediately. The patient may note that some of the treated veins feel firm or lumpy and this resolves over the course of months. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 1-2 weeks.  Patients will be seen in follow-up at 3-6 weeks and 6 months.

The vast majority of patients notice a significant improvement of symptoms after having vein treatment. After the procedure, you may have a few areas of tenderness. You will be required to wear compression stockings during your recovery period for a prescribed amount of time and should walk for 30 minutes daily for 3-4 weeks.