VNUS Closure

This clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure treats varicose veins and their underlying cause, venous reflux, quickly and with little or no pain.

Conventional treatment for varicose veins involves surgery to strip them out; a procedure that can be painful for the patient and is relatively time-consuming and expensive for the NHS. Full patient recovery after varicose vein surgery can take several weeks and it is estimated that, following vein stripping, 36% of patients require an overnight stay in hospital.

By contrast, the VNUS Closure procedure is minimally-invasive and carried out under local anaesthetic, usually in a simple treatment room rather than an operating theatre. The Closure procedure involves inserting a fine catheter into the affected refluxing vein. The catheter is connected to a VNUS RFG Plus radio frequency generator which generates radiofrequency energy. Using this energy, the catheter heats the vein wall in 7cm segments to a precisely controlled temperature, at which point the vein starts to shrink and close. As the vein closes, the blood collected in it is diverted to a healthy vein. Over time, the treated vein is simply absorbed by the body and in 6-12 months it is virtually invisible on ultrasound. Because the vein is shut down, there is no need for the closed vein to be surgically removed.

Closure patients can walk away from the vein procedure and return to everyday activities, at home and at work, within a day.

Benefits for the NHS and patients each year

• Generates potential savings for the NHS of £ 17 million
• More than 7,000 patients will be saved further treatment due to failed alternative methods
• For same costs, a further 25,000 patients could be treated earlier and avoid pain or discomfort