What is Radiofrequency Venous Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency venous ablation is a minimally-invasive vein treatment to improve or eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs. It is done with a needle access without a surgical incision. The device we use in clinic is Covidien ClosureFast.
How does Radiofrequency Venous Ablation Work?
A radiofrequency system utilizes radio waves to generate thermal energy. The thermal energy heats up the inside of the vein, destroying the inside endothelial lining in the process. The vein is thus rendered non-functional and collapses immediately. This in turn depressurizes the downstream varicose veins and alleviates your symptoms. Your body will automatically redirect blood flow through other normal veins, making the whole venous system more effective as a whole.
Radiofrequency Venous Ablation
General techniques of venous ablation: 1. An ablation probe is inserted into the great saphenous vein. 2. The probe is positioned under ultrasound guidance. 3. The probe is activated and the ablation begins. 4. The probe is gradually pulled back until desired length of the vein is treated.
Which vein dose Radiofrequency treat? Does it treat the varicose veins directly?
The great saphenous vein is the most common culprit of varicose vein development, although other superficial axial veins such as the small saphenous vein and accessory saphenous veins may also be candidates for RF venous ablation. By eliminating this problematic vein, we reduce the back pressure on the varicose veins.
Does radiofrequency ablation require anesthesia?
No, we perform most of our RFA cases in the clinic under mild sedation and local anesthetics. In certain situations, such as in patients who need extensive microphlebectomies, we may elect to perform the procedure in hospital setting with anesthesia.
Are there other types of venous ablations?
There are 2 other similar procedures we may discuss with patients, Laser venous ablation and VenaSeal. In laser venous ablation, the steps are essentially the same as radiofrequency ablation above, except that a laser system is used to generate heat.
VenaSeal is a relatively new technique and product on the market. The procedural steps are very similar to ablation technique, except that it uses a glue to seal the target vein shut and avoids the usage of thermal energy. Please see the VenaSeal page to learn more about the procedure.
Which type of venous ablation procedure do I need?
Although each venous ablation procedure differ slightly in its techniques and suitability, their results are comparable. Fortunately, the skill vascular surgeons will recommend the right procedure for you. The factors that influence the procedure of choice typically comes down to individual vein anatomy and insurance benefits, as one insurance carrier may preferentially covers one type of venous ablation over another.