The Vein Center at Portland Surgical Associates is proud to have a highly trained team of professionals committed to providing the best possible care to all of our patients and their families.

Our surgeons are members of the American College of Phlebology - an educational organization that is committed to improving standards of practice and patient care. Unlike some providers, the surgeons at The Vein Center at Portland Surgical Associates are committed to provide the highest quality and most up to date care for all stages of varicose veins and venous insufficiency.

Benjamin L. Russell, D.O., F.A.C.O.S.
Board Certified September 1992

Having grown up in Falmouth and attended Bowdoin College, Ben finished his "made in Maine" education by graduating from medical school at the University of New England. He received his surgical training in Dayton, Ohio and returned to join Bob in private practice in 1990. He is Board Certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Ben is the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of New England and the Clinical Director of Maine Medical Center's Brighton Surgical Center. He serves on several hospital committees and enjoys woodworking as well as outdoor activities with his wife and four children.

Christopher D. Rogers, D.O., F.A.C.O.S.
Board Certified September 1992

A 1985 graduate of The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Chris completed his Internship at the Osteopathic Hospital of Maine and his General Surgery Residency at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He is Board Certified in General Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. His areas of interest include Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and Colorectal Surgery.

After 11 busy years in solo practice in Oswego, New York, Chris joined the practice in 2001. He is active not only in medical staff committee work at Mercy Hospital but also in the pre- and post-doctoral training at the University of New England.

Chris, his wife Kathy and their three children enjoy sailing, skiing and swimming. They live in Scarborough, Maine.

The Problem
Venous insufficiency syndromes are caused by a failure of valves in the veins of the leg, allowing venous blood to escape from its normal path of flow UP the leg and instead reflux backward DOWN the leg.

When venous valves are working correctly, every movement of the leg causes blood to be pumped inward and up the leg. As we walk, the normal pressure in the venous system of the lower leg is nearly zero. Immediately after walking, the early standing pressure in the normal leg remains low. In patients whose leg vein valves have failed, the column of standing blood in the veins of the leg remains high, even while walking. This increase in the pressure of the blood within the veins of the leg further damages the valves.

Untreated venous insufficiency in the leg causes a progressive syndrome involving pain, swelling, skin changes, and eventual tissue breakdown.*
* eMedicine - Venous Insufficiency Article by Craig Feid, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FACPh.htm

Frequency
70% of women and 40% of men have some degree of venous insufficiency. One million of these people will have developed a leg ulcer and for 100,000, this will lead to permanent disability.

Treatment
Treatment may take the form of specialized stockings, injection therapy, VNUS radiofrequency endovenous closure, laser ablation (ELVT) or, in extreme cases, skin grafting.