Minimally invasive varicose vein care

ENDOVENOUS LASER

The most established minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins with proven long term results is endovenous laser (also termed EVLT or EVLA) This is usually completed between 45 to 90 minutes depending on the complexity as a day case under a local anaesthetic with ultrasound guidance. Local anaesthetic injections are given in the leg along the course of the varicose vein before the laser is applied. Most patients undergoing endovenous laser will tolerate the local anaesthetic injections well. Some patients who are needle-phobic may request a general anaesthetic, providing there are no contraindications, for a more comfortable procedure. Mr. Chong has extensive experience with endovenous laser for varicose veins. He trained in this technique in 2005 and has since completed more than 1200 cases without complications. In the early days of endovenous laser in the UK, he served as a faculty member for courses run by DIOMED (now AngioDynamics). He directed the annual London Postgraduate School of Surgery endovenous skills workshop for varicose veins. He was also faculty on the BSET endovenous course for the National Vascular Training Day. At present, patients in the Surrey Vascular Clinic who are eligible for endovenous laser can opt to have their treatment done using the Neo-V 1470 nm Laser by Frontiere Medicale at the Berkshire Independent Hospital or the Vari-Lase system (1470 nm) by Vascular Solutions at Spire Clare Park Hospital.

RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION (VENEFIT PROCEDURE)

Mr. Chong performs radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins with the Venefit Procedure (the Medtronic VNUS Closurefast system). He is the first surgeon at Frimley Park Hospital to use the Venefit Procedure in NHS patients with varicose veins. Radiofrequency ablation is now known to produce equally effective results for varicose veins as endovenous laser.This new technique is also reported to cause less post-operative pain when compared with endovenous laser. The Venefit Procedure is a good option for patients with more superficially sited varicose veins in their legs who may otherwise be non-ideal candidates for endovenous laser surgery due to the risk of thermal skin injury. Like endovenous laser, the Venefit Procedure requires injections for local anaesthetic into the leg before treatment. The risks of heat injury to the surrounding tissues in the leg from the Venefit Procedure are minimal. The Venefit Procedure is a safe and effective alternative to endovenous laser.

OPEN VARICOSE VEIN SURGERY

It must be stressed that not all patients with varicose veins are suitable for minimally invasive varicose vein treatments and an ultrasound duplex scan assessment of your leg veins will be performed in the initial consultation to determine the best treatment option for you. If you have a previous history of DVT or have previously had varicose vein surgery you will be referred to our Vascular Lab for a detailed venous duplex scan so that appropriate information is obtained for planning your treatment. About 1 in 40 patients treated by Mr. Chong are not suitable for minimally invasive varicose vein procedures and will get better results with conventional open "high tie and stripping" surgery for varicose veins under a general anaesthetic. 

VENASEAL SAPHEON CLOSURE SYSTEM

Venaseal is the newest minimally invasive technique for the treatment of  varicose veins which involves an ultrasound guided single injection into the leg to introduce a fine catheter that delivers tissue glue to seal varicose veins. This innovative technique has promising clinical results at 12 months following treatment and has a good safety profile. Venseal is different from Radiofrequency Ablation and Endovenous Laser as Venaseal does not require a series of local anaesthetic injections in the leg before the treatment is delivered and patients are not required to wear compression stockings after treatment. Venaseal is available to self-funding patients only at Clare Park Vein Care or Berkshire Independent Vein Care.   

CLARIVEIN

We are the first clinic in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to pioneer ClariVein for varicose veins. This revolutionary treatment is quick, safe and comfortable without the need for local anaesthetic injections required for endovenous laser or radiofrequency ablation. Mr. Chong has completed formal training in the use of ClariVein, a new , revolutionary minimally invasive vein treatment which has many advantages over other existing vein care techniques. ClariVein has excellent results at 12 months post-treatment and current studies are already underway to assess the long term effectiveness of this innovative treatment for varicose veins.