This operation has proven to be the most effective method of all other procedures in the field of vascular surgery.
Problems with varicose veins are becoming more common in the dynamic environment of the modern lifestyle; Sitting in the office, waiting in line, driving in the car – all these routines are paid for by our body with a gradual deterioration of health.
Varicose veins are therefore a common case that can affect you at any age today, making your already turbulent lifestyle more difficult.
Fortunately, there are numerous methods in the field of vascular surgery that could adequately eliminate your varicose veins problems. Some of them include laser surgery, sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation of veins , which is applied daily in our clinic and which shows exceptional results on our clients.
This routine procedure is based on a method of shutting off blood flow through diseased varicose veins. This surgery has proven to be the most effective method of all other procedures in the field of vascular surgery.
This method replaced the traditional, surgical approach, in which the diseased vein was removed from the body. Thanks to modern technology, this operation is performed today without any complications or redundant incisions.
We have made sure that you are as comfortable as possible during the procedure, and the operation itself is performed under the action of local anesthesia, which completely eliminates the pain. Radiofrequency ablation has enabled our clients to recover quickly and permanently solve the problem of varicose veins.
Radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins is one of the advanced methods of endovenous treatment (endovenous thermal ablation).
This method has been in use since 1999, and, like any other method, has been significantly improved to date, in accordance with the development of technology. It has found its great application in the treatment of the main superficial venous stem, as the most common cause of varicose veins on the legs.
The goal of this method is to eliminate the cause of varicose veins, which in 60 to 70% of patients is caused by the incompetence of the valves in the main superficial veins of the legs.
There are several different devices for radiofrequency ablation:
With the development of the ClosureFast catheter for radiofrequency ablation, treatment has been significantly improved and side effects during and after treatment of veins with previous devices have been eliminated.
ClosureFast catheters eliminate the negative effect of the previous slow pullback technique and enable controlled treatment of the vein with a temperature of 120°C, thus reducing the possibility of vein perforation (“rupture” of the vein) when using a high dose of thermal energy.
The advantages of this method of treatment compared to classic surgical treatment are numerous, and the leading ones are:
In addition, compared to other endovascular techniques, such as EVLA (endovenous laser ablation), a significantly lower post-procedural inflammatory response of the body was recorded, which would eventually lead to complications in terms of skin hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) and induration (hardening) of subcutaneous tissue and thrombophlebitis (transient inflammation of the veins).
Although laser surgery is recommended for closing veins of larger diameters, radiofrequency causes slightly fewer complications and the chances of re-expansion are lower than other types of procedures.
Likewise, sclerotherapy proves to be the best method exclusively for superficial veins and capillaries, but in the case of treating larger veins within the extremities, we prefer radiofrequency ablation of the veins.
The principles of treating varicose veins are very similar in almost all procedures; The goal of each of the already mentioned surgeries is to stop the flow of blood through the diseased vein, which causes it to deteriorate and turn into connective tissue.
Sclerotherapy is the most common among the three procedures. This method of treating varicose veins uses the simple principle of injecting sclerosate fluid or foam through an injection, which compresses the veins and collapses over time.
A special category consists of radiofrequency ablation and laser surgery of varicose veins. The principle is identical, but the probe emits a high temperature at radiofrequency, more precisely 120°C, while the probe in laser surgery, obviously, uses lasers to adequately close the diseased blood vessel and redirect the blood flow to healthy veins.
In the case of varicose veins that are not only an aesthetic problem, but also interfere with your daily activities, radiofrequency ablation may be the best solution for your varicose veins.
At the LF Polyclinic, after a color Doppler ultrasound examination, we choose the most optimal method of removing the diseased blood vessel by mutual agreement. Depending on the diameter of the diseased vein, there is a chance to opt for other methods, such as laser vein surgery.
However, if we take into account the lower chances of any complications and a slightly easier recovery, radiofrequency ablation can be given an advantage as the final surgery to treat your cardiovascular problems.
That is why the examination and giving the correct diagnosis is crucial in order to provide you with the best possible treatment and cure the problem of varicose veins.
In order to give you the best diagnosis for your varicose veins, we perform several tests at the LF Polyclinic.
First, we perform a color Doppler ultrasound, which allows us to recognize the speed of blood flow and assess whether it is a major blood stasis or even a backflow of blood. The examination is carried out in a standing position, when the veins are full.
In addition to the ultrasound, you will also be asked for other documentation that could indicate other health problems. The reason for this is the precautions to which we must react in detail and in a timely manner in order to adapt to you as much as possible and act in a way that harms your body the least.
With such an approach in mind, you will be asked for findings such as ECG scans and lab findings. In addition, you will be instructed throughout the procedure at the examination, and you will also have to fill out an anesthesia form in which you sign the consent to the use of local anesthesia during the operation.
Before the operation, you put on disposable clothes, and the staff directs you to the operating room. Before the procedure, you drink premedication, so that you are as relaxed and calm as possible during the operation.
The operation procedure is carried out in several steps:
Recovery after radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins is quick and painless, and complications are rare. Of course, it is necessary to emphasize that for optimal recovery, it is necessary to follow the instructions we give you.
So, for example, after surgery, you will get elastic socks that you wear for two weeks – the first week for 24 hours, and the second week only during the day.
One of the main advantages of this procedure is a quick return to daily activities. By following the instructions, you will be able to do everything you did before without any problems. However, try to avoid excessive sitting or standing, at least in the beginning of recovery.
If circumstances force you to sit for long periods of time, either in the office or in the car, take about 10 minutes for lighter physical activity such as walking.
Although popular due to the small number of complications, radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins can have exceptions.
If you notice tightness , redness or mild pain at the site of the puncture wound, there is no reason to worry – such circumstances are normal in the recovery process, as well as a hematoma that disappears in two weeks.
That is why wearing an elastic sock is necessary for the recovery to be optimal and without complications.
Of the major complications, hyperpigmentation can appear – a change in the color of the skin near the varicose vein. The discoloration occurs as a result of the action of the high temperature of the probe, which can sometimes affect the surrounding tissue. Fortunately, this phenomenon is only a problem of an aesthetic nature.
Of all these procedures, radiofrequency therapy has proven to be the method with the least complications, and in communication with clients, we have recognized that recovery after this surgery is faster and more painless compared to other methods of treating varicose veins.
Our main goal at Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch health services. That is why we have gathered a team of top experts, specialists and subspecialists who are the backbone of our multidisciplinary centers and specialist clinics.
In order to maintain the high quality of our medical services, we strive to be always available to our clients. For a consultation and examination with our expert team, you can contact us by phone at +3851 2444646 or via our online form. Opening hours for orders are Monday to Friday 10:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
We will warmly welcome you at the premises of the LF Polyclinic at Vrbik 8a, Zagreb.
Contact us with confidence and let us come up with the best solutions and answers to all your questions together.
