Archives: FAQs

When veins such as the great saphenous vein have incompetent valves and are dysfunctional, instead of the traditional surgeries such as vein stripping or ligation, thermal energy can be delivered through a thin fiber to eliminate them. This can be from a laser or a radiofrequency device. Dr. Attaran favors radiofrequency because it works very…

Sclerotherapy is the treatment of varicose or spider veins by injection with chemicals that cause steady elimination of the unwanted veins. The treatments used have a good safety record. Local irritation with the injection is common but allergies, deep vein thrombosis or ulceration are rare. It typically takes a few weeks to months for the…

An alternative way to eliminate dysfunctional large veins with thermal ablation is so-called mechanochemical ablation (Clarivein). In this technique a small fiber is inserted into the vein under local anesthetic. Its tip rapidly spins while releasing a sclerotherapy drug to the vein. There is no heat required. The technique appears to act by scratching the…