Phlebology refers to a specialty that is recognized by the American Medical Association and focuses on venous disease management.
Venous conditions range from unattractive spider veins to painful conditions such as varicose veins and leg ulcers. Various safe and proven dermatology treatments are available to patients today to address problematic veins.
Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by judicious board certified dermatologists Dr. Tri H. Nguyen and Dr. George G. Hughes III, provides vein treatment procedures to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding communities and towns in the profound Lone Star State.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a “sclerosant” or chemical solution into spider veins, and at times, even into larger veins.
These sclerosants cause irritation and close the lining of the veins over weeks to months. In the past, sclerotherapy sometimes caused cramping pain and burning. This commonly occurred when saline was used in the treatment. Now, advanced and more effective sclerosants are relatively painless.
The FDA has approved certain sclerosants such as sotradecol and polidocanol while others such as glycerin are off-label. Sclerosants are chosen on the basis of the best available evidence for the patient’s safety. In any case, the patient will need multiple treatment sessions and will need to wear stockings for around three weeks following each treatment session. The patient will experience more severe side effects and derive less benefit without compression.
Foam Sclerotherapy
Foam Sclerotherapy is a specialized dermatology treatment which utilizes a foamy solution comprising sclerosant and gas/air for the treatment of veins that are hard to see or more stubborn. The foam comprises small bubbles that stick to the veins more easily.
Foam sclerotherapy can successfully treat diseased veins. It is even believed to be more advantageous than surgical treatment in some cases. According to the FDA, foam sclerosant use is off-label. Ultrasound guidance is usually employed while injecting foam as it improves the safety and accuracy of the procedure.
The side effects arising from foam treatment are more severe. The safety protocols must be strictly followed to ensure successful outcomes. The patient will require multiple sessions for best outcomes.
Microphlebectomy
The surgeon will remove large, protuberant varicose veins physically though tiny, slit-like cuts under local anesthesia. The patient will go home on the same day as the procedure, and the tiny wounds will heal without any requirement for sutures.
The microphlebectomy procedure takes one to two hours and is dissimilar from traditional ligation and stipping. Microphlebectomy is typically performed in combination with other procedures such as foam sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation.
Endovenous Thermal Ablation (ETA)
For GSV reflux, ETA is not the preferred treatment approach. This treatment is more successful than traditional ligation and stripping. It involves fewer side effects and a more rapid recovery. In this treatment, the surgeon inserts a catheter into the GSV via a tiny incision at the knee.
The treatment is carried out under local anesthesia. When the surgeon withdraws the catheter, its destructs the vein internally by heat provided through a laser or radiofrequency (VNUS). Kind board certified dermatologists Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Hughes receive patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and other neighborhoods and suburbs in this area of the state for vein treatments.
Board certified dermatologists Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Hughes receive patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas for skin care procedures.For more information on procedures and treatments offered at Texas Surgical Dermatology PA please call 832.663.6566 or click here to contact our dermatologists. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
