The skilled surgeons of the Vascular and Endovascular section play an important role
in the Vein Center, an outpatient surgery center where a team of vascular specialists
customizes a vein treatment plan for each patient depending on health, age and severity
of condition. Patients are evaluated in Augusta University's outpatient Cardiovascular
Center via a dedicated vascular lab, where a technician performs a detailed venous
ultrasound study to determine treatment; our surgeons then perform treatments on an
ambulatory basis at Augusta University.
Treatment for spider and varicose veins may include:
Sclerotherapy, during which the surgeon injects a solution into the veins to cause scarring and
close the veins;
Ambulatory phlebectomy is the removal of the vein by tiny punctures or incisions along the path of the enlarged
vein. Through these tiny holes, the surgeon uses a surgical hook to remove the varicose
vein
Laser surgery and intense pulsed light therapy are used to destroy abnormal veins
Electrodesiccation is the sealing of the veins with the use of an electrical current
Ablation (laser and radiofrequency, VNUS procedure), during which a surgeon inserts a catheter into a varicose vein. Tiny electrodes at
the tip of the catheter heat and destroy the walls of the varicose vein
Surgical ligation and stripping involves the surgeon making an incision in the skin and removing or tying off the
blood vessel.
Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency may include sclerotherapy, as well as:
Vein stripping involves the surgeon disconnecting and tying off all veins associated with the saphenous
vein, which he then removes.
Bypass is an option for severe CVI that occurs in the upper thigh or pelvis. Using small
incisions, the surgeon connects an artificial vein or a transplanted vein to an unaffected
vein to help blood flow around the blocked vein;
Valve repair is a shortening of the valves inside the vein to improve function;
Angioplasty and stenting are used for more severe cases of CVI. An angioplasty uses a balloon to push open
a narrowed or blocked portion of the vein; a stent helps keep the narrowed areas open.
