Options offered by Emory Healthcare for the treatment of varicose veins include:

Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins

Endovenous Laser Treatment is an FDA-approved, outpatient treatment for varicose veins is an alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. After applying local anesthesia, a small laser fiber is inserted into the damaged vein to deliver pulses of laser light, causing the vein to collapse and seal shut. Afterwards a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg.

*Schematic of endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins.

Click on the icons below to hear directly from our physicians and patients about Endovenous Laser Treatment.
	Endovenous Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins - One Patient's Story Click on the image to the left to view a CNN story* featuring an Emory patient undergoing the procedure. The procedure is performed by Emory's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy division. * The use of this CNN material is primarily for informational/ educational related purposes and does not constitute an implied endorsement by CNN. Speaker: Dr. Ross Milner, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
	Endovenous Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins - The Procedure This video provides a step by step detailed description of the endovenous laser treatment, the state of the art procedure to correct varicose veins using a minimally-invasive technique. Speaker: Dr. Ross Milner, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
		Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins This video features a patient who has suffered from varicose veins for almost 30 years. She never wanted to have surgery, but when she heard about the new laser treatment, she immediately wanted to give it a try. Speaker: Dr. Abbas Chamsuddin, Interventional Vascular Radiology

Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy produces the best results when spider veins are at an early stage. A tiny needle injects the veins with a medication that irritates the vein lining, causing the veins to collapse and be reabsorbed so that they are no longer visible. Depending on the type and number of veins being treated, one to several sclerotherapy sessions with one or more injections per session may be needed.

An outpatient procedure, sclerotherapy usually causes only minimal discomfort. While bruising typically disappears within one-to-two weeks, any pigmentation that occurs can persist for several months before fading. Normal activities can generally be resumed almost immediately, though medically prescribed support hose may have to be worn for several days or up to several weeks to assist in resolution of the veins. Other complications such as scarring are rare.

*Spider veins before and after sclerotherapy. Individual results can vary.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Using local anesthesia, this outpatient surgical method of treatment for varicose veins removes surface varicose veins through tiny punctures that typically leave nearly imperceptible marks. After the procedure, a bandage and/or compression stocking is worn for a short period.

*Varicose veins before and after ambulatory phlebectomy. Individual results can vary.

 For more information about treatments, appointments or seminars, please call
Emory HealthConnection^SM at 404-778-7777 or 1-800-75-EMORY (1-800-753-6679).