General Information

What is Radiofrequency Occlusion?
Radiofrequency occlusion is a minimally invasive procedure to treat certain types of varicose veins. Radiofrequency occlusion involves the application of heat to specific, problematic varicose veins, which causes them to close off and blood to be rerouted to other, healthy veins.

What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are dilated blood vessels in the legs caused by venous stasis. The valves in these veins which aid in blood flow back to the heart are broken, leading to dilation of the veins as blood pools in the dependent portions of the lower extremities. The causes of varicose veins are many including occupations involving prolonged standing and pregnancy along with hereditary factors. As a result almost one third of the adult population experiences some type of problem with varicose veins.

Some individuals with varicose veins experience no symptoms at all, however most people who have the conditions will notice unsightly blue bulges especially behind the knees and around the lower legs. Many people with varicose veins will complain of aching legs, leg cramps, and swollen feet at the end of the day. In a few cases the venous insufficiency is severe enough to result in ulceration of the skin. Activities with prolonged standing may become difficult or impossible.

Is radiofrequency occlusion a standard treatment option?
Treatment for varicose veins ranges from compression hose to surgical therapy. In recent years newer, less invasive methods of treatment for varicose veins have been developed. Radiofrequency occlusion is one of these newer procedures revolutionizing the treatment and recovery. The procedure has replaced surgical stripping of large varicose veins in most patients due to the fact that radiofrequency occlusion is less invasive and gives equal or better results.

How is radiofrequency occlusion performed?
Often done in the physician's office or an outpatient surgery setting, radiofrequency occlusion requires local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. To perform the procedure, the area is cleaned and local anesthetic is injected at the base of the vein to be treated. A small tube or catheter is threaded through this site into and along the vein using ultrasound guidance. Local anesthetic is injected along the way to improve patient comfort.

Once the catheter is in place, radiofrequency energy is used to heat the vein to about 185 degrees. The heat causes the vein to collapse closing the vein into a scar. Following the procedure, the treated leg is wrapped in a compression bandage to prevent re-expansion. Compression stockings are worn for several days following the radiofrequency occlusion to prevent re-expansion while healing occurs. The previously dilated vein becomes a fibrous band that is reabsorbed by the body. Circulation in the leg is taken over by other, healthy veins deeper within the leg.

What is the recovery process like?
Radiofrequency occlusion procedures usually last about 30 minutes to an hour depending on the extent of the problem. Following radiofrequency occlusion, patients are observed for a short period of time before returning home. Most patients can walk easily even the day of the procedure. Recovery involves wearing compression hose for two weeks while avoiding heavy lifting and prolonged standing. Most other activities can be resumed within a day or two of the procedure.

Are there any complications associated with radiofrequency occlusion?
As with any medical procedure complications are possible. With radiofrequency occlusion the chance of complications is lower than with traditional vein stripping but they still occur. Such complications include infection, bleeding, and blood clots in the veins being treated or in other veins. Unique to radiofrequency occlusion is the chance of a burn to the skin. This is rare. More commonly with any vein treatment include some skin numbness and tingling and discoloration of the skin over the areas treated. These conditions usually resolve within a few weeks or months of the procedure.

What are the benefits of radiofrequency occlusion compared to other procedures?
Advantages of radiofrequency occlusion over traditional vein stripping include reduced operating time, less anesthesia, and less discomfort following the procedure. When the results of the two procedures have been compared, radiofrequency ablation yields the same or better results in terms of cosmetics than traditional vein stripping. In patients who have had both procedures the preference is for radiofrequency occlusion.

Who is a candidate for radiofrequency occlusion?
People who are candidates for radiofrequency occlusion procedures include those who have dilatation of the great saphenous vein or other large veins in the legs creating venous insufficiency. This condition is diagnosed by a specialist using a test called duplex ultrasound. It is important to see a physician who specializes in the treatment of varicose veins to determine if radiofrequency occlusion is the best procedure.

What are the costs associated with this procedure?
Cost of the radiofrequency occlusion procedure is dependent on the extent of the diseased veins. Other procedures may be needed to treat the more superficial dilated veins which sometimes result in unsightly "spider veins." Insurance will often cover the cost of the radiofrequency occlusion procedure as it is an approved method of treatment for certain types of varicose veins in the United States. However, insurance companies will often require other methods of treatment such as compression hose, weight loss, and exercise prior to approving a more invasive method of treatment.

Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.

By VeinDirectory.org Staff
Updated: October 14, 2009