Over 30 million people in the United States suffer from symptomatic venous insufficiency, the underlying cause of varicose veins. Varicose veins are often mistakenly thought to be only a cosmetic condition when, in fact, they are usually a symptom of this disease. This condition progressively damages the valves of the saphenous vein and cosmetically disfigures the leg. Some common symptoms of venous insufficiency are:

• Varicose veins
• Burning or itching of the skin, restless leg syndrome
• Color and texture changes of the skin
• Aching, tired or weak legs, especially after long periods of standing or sitting
• Swollen legs and/or ankles (edema)
• Poorly-healing wounds, such as skin ulcers commonly above the medial malleolus

We know that swollen legs are not exclusively a result of chronic venous insufficiency, nor are ulcers exclusively a diabetes complication. Overlooking a correct diagnosis may lead to an ineffective therapy. Furthermore, conservative treatment often fails to address the underlying disease. Key facts to consider:

1. Compression stockings only temporarily alleviate the symptoms of venous reflux
2. Varicose veins are usually a symptom of an underlying, treatable saphenous vein reflux disease
3. Venous disease is progressive in nature and may worsen if left untreated

At Chinatown General Surgery, we are pleased to offer the Venefit® procedure, in addition to other treatment modalities for comprehensive management of vein disease. Our newest surgeon, Dr. Steven Cai has had special training in and a passion for venous disease. We are happy to say that he was also recently granted privileges at New York University Langone Medical Center for laparoscopic and general surgery procedures.

The Venefit Procedure featuring the ClosureFAST Catheter has been the subject of an international multi-center trial. This trial recently demonstrated a procedural efficacy of over 96% at the three-year follow up. In another international multi-center study, the RECOVERY Trial showed that when compared to laser treatment, the Venefit procedure is associated with significantly less patient pain and bruising and with fewer adverse events than laser. The ClosureFAST Catheter represents the latest advancement in RF Technology from Covidien Vascular Therapies, a company built on a strong foundation of clinical data and patient-centric approaches to treating venous disease.

As of January 2010, more than 500,000 patients have been treated with the Venefit procedure. The procedure is also covered by most health insurance companies, which makes it an appealing option for many patients.

We can provide patients who suffer from varicose veins and the symptoms of underlying venous insufficiency patient-friendly and clinically-proven solutions. Please feel free to contact us for further information or to discuss a treatment plan for your varicose veins.