Radiofrequency Occlusion Gaining Popularity
We all know varicose veins are unsightly and rather painful, but rather than using the old fashioned stripping techniques for removal,
radio frequency occlusion has received much positive notoriety and popularity in recent months. Traditional methods are cumbersome and painful leaving marks and scars on the legs, however radio frequency occlusion is far less invasive. The procedure uses a small catheter into the vein and radio frequency waves are used to shut and close the veins fast. The process takes a mere few minutes, as opposed to large incisions in the ankles and stripping that is involved in the other methods.
The Baltimore Examiner highlighted a piece on such minimally invasive techniques and said,
"The field of minimally invasive techniques to fix varicose veins has emerged in the past four years as technology has improved, said Dr. Sanjiv Lakhanpal, a cardiovascular surgeon at the Center for Vein Restoration, which has eight offices in Maryland. Lakhanpal's office uses radio frequency or laser treatments on the veins, depending on vein size and location. Vein stripping is effective, he said, but it's like "hitting a mosquito with a sledge hammer."
