VenaSeal™Closure at Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital

Who is this treatment suitable for?

The Venaseal™ or “superglue” treatment is a new way of closing the main vein in the leg that causes varicose veins. The Venaseal™ treatment is usually performed using only one small incision (2-3mm) per vein treated, and there is no need for additional injections of local anaesthetic around the vein – unlike endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation.

What happens during VenaSeal™ closure?

Before the procedure

You will need an initial consultation where a Consultant will scan your veins to determine the severity; following this your Consultant will discuss the best treatment pathway with you. If VenaSeal™ could be a good treatment option, the next steps will be explained to you.

During the procedure

You may feel some minor pain or stinging as a local anaesthetic injection is used to numb the site where the doctor will access your vein. Once the area is numb, your consultant will insert the catheter (a small hollow tube) into your leg. You may feel some pressure from the placement of the catheter.

The catheter will be placed in specific areas along the diseased vein to deliver small amounts of the medical adhesive. You may feel some mild sensation of pulling or tugging. Ultrasound will be used during the procedure to guide and position the catheter.

After treatment, the catheter is removed and a small dressing will be placed over the puncture site.

Recovery  from VenaSeal™ closure

The VenaSeal™ closure system reduces discomfort and recovery time and is designed to allow rapid return to normal activities.

Many patients return to normal activity immediately after the procedure. Your consultant can help you determine when you can return to normal activity.

Alternative procedures?

Endovenous laser ablation and Radiofrequency ablation are other procedures used to treat varicose veins.

The advantage of the VenaSeal™ closure system procedure is that is uses an adhesive to close the superficial vein. Thermal energy procedures use heat to close the vein. The intense heat requires a large volume of numbing medicine, which is injected through many needle sticks. The injections may cause pain and bruising after the procedure.