Cooltouch CTEV®

If you experience discomfort, swelling and varicose veins in your legs, you may be suffering from superficial venous reflux disease. More than 25 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. Venous reflux or venous insufficiency develops when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs become damaged or diseased. The main treatment alternative is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins.

Traditionally, patients diagnosed with venous reflux would undergo vein stripping surgery. Now, patients can be treated with the Cooltouch CTEV® procedure -- a minimally invasive alternative to painful vein stripping surgery.

Cooltouch CTEV® is a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins and their underlying cause, venous reflux, with little or no pain. Cooltouch CTEV® patients can walk away from the procedure and be back to everyday activities – either at home or at work – typically within a day.

Experience the Cooltouch CTEV® Procedure.
The Cooltouch CTEV® procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia in which the physician numbs the leg before treatment. Currently, we perform this treatment in our office and consists of four principal steps:

Mapping of the Saphenous Vein.
A typical procedure begins with noninvasive ultrasound imaging of the diseased vein to trace its location. This allows the physician to determine the site where the laser fiber will be inserted and to mark the desired position of the fiber tip to begin treatment.

Insertion of the Laser Fiber.
After the physician accesses the saphenous vein, the laser fiber is inserted into the vein and advanced to the uppermost segment of the vein. The physician then typically injects a volume of dilute anesthetic fluid into the area surrounding the vein. This numbs the leg, helps squeeze blood out of the vein and provides a fluid layer outside the vein to protect surrounding tissue from heat once the fiber starts delivering laser energy.

Delivery of Laser Energy and Withdrawal of Fiber.
Noninvasive ultrasound is used to confirm the fiber tip position and the physician then activates the laser machine. As the vein wall is heated, the vein shrinks and the fiber is gradually withdrawn. During fiber pullback, which typically occurs over 4 to 10 minutes, the entire vein is ablated (or closed).

Confirm Closing of Vein.
After treatment, ultrasound imaging is used to confirm closing of the vein. If a portion of the vein is not closed, the fiber can be reinserted and laser reapplied. After the procedure, the narrowed vein gradually becomes fibrous, sealing the interior of the vein walls and naturally redirecting blood flow to healthy veins. Experienced physicians often complete the procedure in 30 to 45 minutes.

Physicians generally instruct their patients to walk regularly for several days after the Cooltouch CTEV® procedure and return within 1 week for an ultrasound examination. Physicians may prescribe compression stockings to be worn for several days or weeks after the procedure. Compression stockings are prescribed as a routine item for vein procedures with the goal of enhancing patient comfort in the initial days after treatment.

Patients who undergo the Cooltouch CTEV® procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.

Cooltouch CTEV® Procedure Highlights

• Relief of symptoms
• Outpatient procedure
• Resume activities typically within a day
• Good cosmetic outcome with minimal or no scarring, bruising, or swelling

As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with the Cooltouch CTEV® procedure.

Speak to our receptionist today to schedule your appointment.

View Cooltouch CTEV® Before and After Photos

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