How many bad veins can be closed at one time during radiofrequency occlusion?

Hi, I have 3 bad veins in my legs (2 in my left leg and 1 in my right leg). The doctor I am seeing for treatment wants to close them in 3 separate procedures. Can they all be treated at 1 time with radiofrequency occlusion?

Answers from doctors (5)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jun 28, 2017

We do not advise doing more than one vein in a treatment. Too much local anesthetic, inflammation after the treatment and increased discomfort. Spacing the treatments allows the leg to rest and "regroup". I will treat the saphenous veins first, separately. I leave the short saphenous veins until last and always check prior to treatment. Sometimes it doesn't need to be treated.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

We do not advise doing more than one vein in a treatment. Too much local anesthetic, inflammation after the treatment and increased discomfort. Spacing the treatments allows the leg to rest and "regroup". I will treat the saphenous veins first, separately. I leave the short saphenous veins until last and always check prior to treatment. Sometimes it doesn't need to be treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Oct 22, 2013

We do routinely close three veins during the same procedure (i.e.: right greater saphenous vein, left greater saphenous vein and the left lesser or small saphenous vein). Additionally, we will also do microstab phlebectomies during the same procedure. Every practitioner is different though, and some perhaps are not comfortable doing more than one closure at a time. This practice may however result in additional out of pocket and insurance expenses.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

We do routinely close three veins during the same procedure (i.e.: right greater saphenous vein, left greater saphenous vein and the left lesser or small saphenous vein). Additionally, we will also do microstab phlebectomies during the same procedure. Every practitioner is different though, and some perhaps are not comfortable doing more than one closure at a time. This practice may however result in additional out of pocket and insurance expenses.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Oct 22, 2013

Medically, they can usually be treated at one time with either laser or radiofrequency. However, the location of the segments being treated can affect whether this is ultimately possible. If two veins are really close together, the doc may not be able to treat both at the same time because the numbing medicine can prevent the doc from successfully accessing the second vein. Another reason some docs do not treat multiple veins on a given day is because of insurance. Not all insurance plans will pay as well for multiple veins.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Medically, they can usually be treated at one time with either laser or radiofrequency. However, the location of the segments being treated can affect whether this is ultimately possible. If two veins are really close together, the doc may not be able to treat both at the same time because the numbing medicine can prevent the doc from successfully accessing the second vein. Another reason some docs do not treat multiple veins on a given day is because of insurance. Not all insurance plans will pay as well for multiple veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Oct 21, 2013

My protocol is to close one vein per treatment and rarely, in certain circumstances, two veins. I never treat more than two veins at any one time. Adding more veins to close per procedure results in more operative time, more patient discomfort, prolonged post procedure discomfort and most importantly, the need for much more tumescent anesthesia which itself carries risks. The longer the procedure the less it is tolerated by the patient.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

My protocol is to close one vein per treatment and rarely, in certain circumstances, two veins. I never treat more than two veins at any one time. Adding more veins to close per procedure results in more operative time, more patient discomfort, prolonged post procedure discomfort and most importantly, the need for much more tumescent anesthesia which itself carries risks. The longer the procedure the less it is tolerated by the patient.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Oct 21, 2013

Depends on location and length. Generally, I only do one leg at a time.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Depends on location and length. Generally, I only do one leg at a time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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