This minimally-invasive outpatient procedure uses a foam solution to shrink and close varicose veins. The foam is injected into the target veins through a catheter, leaving surrounding tissues unaffected.
In preparation for the treatment, the physician uses a hand-held ultrasound probe to scan the varicose veins through the skin. The ultrasound allows the physician to visualize the anatomy of the veins and identify weak valves or other trouble spots that are causing the problem.
After cleaning and sterilizing the skin, the physician inserts a tiny guide wire through the skin and into the target vein. Once inside, a catheter is inserted along the wire and fed up through the varicose vein.
After local anesthetic is injected through the skin to numb the vein, the foam is injected and slowly pulled back through the vein. The foam presses against and irritates the walls of the vessel, causing tissue to contract and the vein to close.
Relief of symptoms may be immediate. The patient will wear a compression stocking for up to two weeks following the procedure. In some cases, EVFT may be combined with other treatments to obtain the desired cosmetic outcome.