If you answer yes, you may be suffering from superficial venous reflux disease.  In the United States about 25 million people suffer from this condition.  In the past patients would undergo vein stripping surgery, but now patients can be treated with the VNUS® Closure® procedure – a minimally invasive and more comfortable alternative to painful vein stripping.  Dr. Patrick Gibson is now performing this procedure on patients at West Texas Medical Associates. 

            Many factors contribute to venous reflux disease.  This disease develops when the valves that keep blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart become damaged or diseased.  This can lead to symptoms of varicose veins, pain, swollen limbs, leg heaviness and fatigue, and skin changes and ulcers. 

            If your physician determines you are a candidate for the closure procedure, it can be performed on an outpatient basis.  Using ultrasound, your physician will position the Closure catheter into a diseased vein through a small opening in the skin and a tiny catheter powered by radio-frequency (RF) energy delivers heat to the vein wall.  As this energy is delivered, the vein wall shrinks and the vein is closed.  Once the diseased vein is closed, the blood is re-routed to healthy veins.

            Highlights of the procedure include:

• Relief of symptoms
• Outpatient procedure
• Local anesthesia
• Resume normal activities in 1-2 days
• Good cosmetic outcome with minimal or no scarring, bruising or swelling
• Broad health insurance coverage

            You may contact Dr. Gibson’s office with questions or to schedule an appointment by calling 325-224-5229.  For more information please check out the VNUS Closure website at www.vnus.com.