Under the expert guidance of our Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Mark Zuzga, our team of Vein Specialists & Vascular Experts are committed to delivering top-tier outpatient vascular & vein evaluation and treatment throughout the greater Tampa & West Florida surrounding areas. Should you find yourself dealing with leg pain, swelling, ulcers, discoloration, or the appearance of spider and varicose veins, we invite you to request a screening todaySclerotherapy or Microphlebectomy – Differences and Benefits
Vein issues such as spider and varicose veins are common issues for both women and men. Many believe they are a cosmetic problem and although they do disrupt the visual appearance the issue runs much deeper. They are a medical problem, not just cosmetic, and the sooner you get them looked at and taken care of the better the ultimate prognosis.
At the West Florida Vein Center, we focus on maintaining a healthy circulatory system by assisting with proper circulation and blood. Even if you are not experiencing any discomfort venous insufficiency should always be treated at the onset to prevent serious issues down the road. Sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy are two commonly used approaches to eliminate insufficient veins that we offer.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a safe effective in-office medical procedure that targets damaged veins using a series of microneedle injections. Treatment is quick and painless and provides lasting results.
At your appointment, Dr. Zuzga will map out your insufficient veins using ultrasound to precisely determine the most effective course of treatment for you personally.
Once the problem veins have been mapped, Dr. Zuzga then injects these selected veins with sclerosant. This is a chemical detergent intended to irritate the inner lining of the veins. It is combined with lidocaine to help ensure a painless session.
Post injection, the treated veins begin to collapse and are then re-absorbed into the body. Spider veins disappear first as they are the smallest. Blood is re-routed to healthy veins. Bigger varicose veins may require multiple treatments before disappearing completely, though you should see fading after the first round. Expect to wait a bit before achieving your desired results.
Sclerotherapy patients need three to six sessions in order to experience optimal results. We will help you determine the ideal treatment strategy, including the number of appointments necessary, after an in-person evaluation of your venous insufficiency. No two patients are the same, and we always approach every patient’s care differently according to their unique needs.
Microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy is another form of vein treatment wherein problem veins are removed directly during a minimally-invasive procedure. Rather than collapsing the problem veins using a chemical sclerosant like sclerotherapy, microphlebectomy instead removes the damaged veins by way of small incisions.
As with sclerotherapy, the veins are mapped out using ultrasound guidance. The area is numbed via a local anesthetic. The incisions are less than two millimeters in length and heal with no stitches and no scarring.
Once numbed and incisions have been made, Dr. Zuzga removes the veins directly through the skin. The procedure takes 30 minutes to one hour. Most patients find they can resume all normal activities in just one week.
Which procedure should I choose?
Both are effective options for treating varicose and spider veins, but they are not always the right option for each patient. Both have their upside. Sclerotherapy is great for treating unsightly clusters of spider veins and smaller varicose veins. If you are interested in a simple and painless procedure and have only minor venous insufficiency, then you may be a good candidate for sclerotherapy.
Microphlebectomy targets similar problems as sclerotherapy but on a different scale. The procedure removes the veins directly and is not intended to be used for smaller, more cosmetic vein issues like sclerotherapy can be. Patients with large, twisted varicose veins that are about the width of a finger are typically ideal candidates for this minimally-invasive procedure. Microphlebectomy is also a bit more invasive and requires a longer period of downtime and recovery than sclerotherapy may.
Which procedure is ultimately right for you ultimately depends on the results of ultrasound testing and resulting advice.
If you have questions about sclerotherapy, microphlebectomy, or any of the other procedures offered at our practice, call us today at (727) 712-3233 to book a consultation.