Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) for Varicose Veins

RFA (VNUS Closure FAST) is used to treat trunk VV and works by heating the vein from the inside using electricity.  This shrinks the trunk vein down causing it to block off. 

The main advantage of this technique is that, like foam sclerotherapy, it avoids traditional surgical stripping and a cut in the groin and is associated with less pain, bruising and a quicker return to normal activities. 

Depending on the size and extent of the VVs, and patient preference, it can be performed either under local or general anaesthesia, either as a day-case or as an overnight stay in hospital.

Similar to foam sclerotherapy, the ultrasound scanner is used to place a small plastic tube into the trunk vein usually around the level of the knee.

A fine wire (catheter) with the heating element at the end of it is then passed through this tube and up the main trunk vein to the level of the groin.

Local anaesthetic is then placed around the trunk vein to keep it away from the skin to insulate the body against the heat generated inside the vein by the catheter tip.

The catheter is slowly withdrawn from the vein while the energy is delivered to the vein wall. This takes less than 10 minutes, at the end of which the main trunk vein is blocked off.

The catheter is them removed from the leg.  If required, the branches of the tree can then be treated by pulling them out through small cuts in the leg(s) (phlebectomies), or by foam or liquid sclerotherapy, either at the same time or at a later date.

As with foam sclerotherapy, after the procedure a bandage and a stocking will be applied to your leg. 

Most patients will return to normal activities within a few days.

A full description of the technique, along with a video, can be found at the Closure Fast website