Spider Veins

What are Spider Veins?
The medical term is telangiactasias.  These fine red and purple veins can occur on the face, chest and legs.  Sometimes they are found in combination with varicose veins.  There are no health risks with spider veins but they are a common cosmetic concern.  Spider veins tend to be inherited and can worsen during pregnancy.  In addition, localized trauma can result in spider veins.

Spider Vein Therapy
The treatments for spider veins include sclerotherapy, laser and intense pulsed light.  Some patients require a combination of treatments for best results.

Dr. Bailey uses an FDA approved solution called Sotradecol® for sclerotherapy.  The results are much better and far less painful than traditional hypertonic saline injections.  The Sotradecol® is injected into the spider vein through a small needle causing the vein to seal shut.  Blood then flows into healthier deeper veins.  Eventually the spider vein disappears completely.

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light treatment of spider veins is accomplished using the Sciton 1064 YAG Laser or the Palomar (IPL).  These systems produce vein specific wavelengths which seal the spider veins.  Laser and IPL are the preferred treatments for face and chest veins.

What are Venous Stasis Ulcers?
Venous ulcers or stasis ulcers are often a result of longstanding venous insufficiency or reflux (leaking valves).  In most cases there are abnormal perforating veins below the knee.  These perforating (connecting) veins have leaking valves or reflux.  This leads to chronic swelling, darkening of the skin and ultimately skin breakdown and ulceration.  These ulcers are generally near the ankle and are very painful.

Dr. Bailey was one of the first ten physicians in the United States to use the revolutionary VNUS RFS (Radiofrequency) catheter to heat seal perforating veins.  The procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia and again the patient returns to normal activity in 24 hours.  This minimally invasive procedure is performed through a 2 millimeter incision.  The result is rapid ulcer healing within 4-6 weeks.  The procedure replaces traditional surgical procedures that require a hospital stay and general anesthesia.  Dr. Bailey is often asked to train other physicians from around the country in the use of this device.

What is European Microphlebectomy?
Microphlebectomy is a procedure to remove large ropy varicose veins.  This procedure involves removing the vein through tiny puncture sites usually no larger than 1-2 millimeters in diameter.  There are no sutures (stitches) required and the cosmetic results are excellent.

What is Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy?
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is another important technique in the treatment of venous insufficiency.  It involves treating veins that are too small to close with laser or radiofrequency.  These refluxing, smaller veins are located by ultrasound and when visualized they are injected with a medicine such as Sotradecol® to seal them shut.

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