Venous Disease
Venous Disease
Arteries channel blood from the heart to the organs and tissues of the body. Veins are the blood vessels that return blood from the body to the heart. To
keep blood moving forward, veins have small delicate valves to prevent backflow of blood. When the valves in the leg veins have been damaged by injury
or a previous blood clot, they stop working properly which is called venous insufficiency. In this condition blood refluxes down the leg veins, causing
swelling and pain. Patients often describe achy, burning discomfort, throbbing, restlessness and swelling in their calves at the end of a long day of
standing or sitting. This progresses to dryness and discoloration of the skin (hyperpigmentation) and can may lead to leg ulcerations and infections.
Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic concern as they are the indication of underlying venous disease. A comprehensive venous evaluation identifies the
source of the problem, which may involve compression of large pelvic veins by overlying arteries, or insufficiency of the deep or superficial veins of the
legs. For those patients whose symptoms persist despite conservative measures, we offer outpatient minimally invasive procedures to identify and
correct the cause of venous insufficiency and treat painful or unsightly veins superficial veins utilizing a variety of techniques.
Dr. Lawrence Schmetterer is a vascular surgeon and specializes in treating varicose veins, leg pain and vascular issues in Youngstown, Boardman,
Canfield, Poland, Salem, Austintown, Warren, and the surrounding communities. The majority of the procedures to solve for venous issues (vein) in the
lower extremities can be diagnosed and treated on the same day in office. Dr. Schmetterer accepts most insurances and has privileges at all the area
hospitals.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a fluid called a sclerosant is injected into small abnormal veins, such as varicose veins, telangiectasias and spider
veins. The sclerosant causes these veins to shrink and collapse. Sclerotherapy may be used in conjunction with laser vein therapy to treat a wide range of
symptomatic or unsightly superficial veins. Advances in sclerosants and techniques has made this procedure more effective and with less side effects.
The gentle nature of today’s sclerosants has also eliminated much of the discomfort that past generations of patients endured. Sclerotherapy is generally
an out of pocket expense, but certain indications or pain may be covered by insurance. Dr. Susan Woods, Board Certified Dermatologist, evaluates and
treats patients requiring these types of interventions. Typically, vein studies are completed in order to identify the cause of the abnormal veins.
Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation
The VNUS Closure Procedure
Venous reflux is the root cause of varicose veins, uncomfortable leg swelling, and even leg ulcers in Youngstown, Ohio and the surrounding areas.
Treatment has evolved greatly over the last two decades. The older procedure of vein stripping, in which the saphenous vein is surgically removed from
the leg, is no longer performed. A patient with venous reflux of the superficial veins, namely the greater or lesser saphenous veins, may be treated by a
procedure called ablation, which seals off the vein by heating it from within. Elimination of vein reflux can alleviate the symptoms of venous disease,
speed healing of venous stasis ulcers and eliminate visible varicose veins. The procedure is completed in our office under local anesthetic in under one
hour.
In this procedure, a small catheter is inserted into the problematic vein using ultrasound guidance. A local anesthetic solution (tumescent) is then
injected around the vein to be treated preventing heat injury to surround tissues and rendering the procedure painless. The catheter is then heated with
radiofrequency (microwave) energy, causing the vein to close off completely. The leg is then wrapped with a compression bandage which stays on for 3
days. A follow-up ultrasound is then completed and the patients resumes wearing compression stockings. Recovery time is fairly short, and most patients
return to normal activity within two days.
VenaSeal
The VenaSeal closure system is the only non-thermal, non-tumescent, non-sclerosant procedure approved for use in the U.S. that uses a specially
formulated medical adhesive that closes the diseased vein. The VenaSeal closure system treats symptomatic venous reflux disease in the lower extremity superficial veins, often the underlying cause of painful varicose veins. During the procedure, the medical adhesive is inserted into the VenaSeal closure system’s dispensing gun that is attached to a catheter. The catheter is advanced into the diseased vein under ultrasound guidance and the medical adhesive delivered precisely to the treatment area which is then briefly compressed. This closure system procedure is designed to minimize patient discomfort and reduce recovery time. After the procedure, a small bandage will be placed at the access site. Patients are able to rapidly return to normal activity.
Varithena (polidocanol injectable foam)
Patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency involving the saphenous and lesser saphenous veins are typically treated with either radiofrequency
ablation (ClosureFast) or cyanoacrylate medical adhesive (Venaseal). Certain veins such as the anterior accessory saphenous, or large incompetent
varicose veins that persist following one of the above ablative therapies, are ideally treated with an ultrasound-guided injection of polidocanol foam
(Varithena). This is typically accomplished through a single needle stick and is painless. The foam irritates the lining of the vein causing it to close. The
body reroutes blood through the healthy veins, thus eliminating the discomfort and appearance of the varicose veins and improving the vascular health
of the leg.
Wound Care
Do you have a cut, ulcer, or sore on your calf or foot that has not healed in 2-3 weeks? As part of our full-service care, Dr. Schmetterer and
Dr. Susan Woods treat the most complex wounds caused by venous, arterial or lymphatic insufficiency, as well as unusual skin diseases. Dr. Susan Woods, Board Certified Dermatologist started the first Wound Care Center in Northeast Ohio in 1994. Together with Dr. Schmetterer, wounds are evaluated as to their cause, and a comprehensive array of advanced interventions, biological dressings and compression options for all types of disease are utilized. We perform a full range of procedures for the treatment of leaking veins as well as blocked arteries. If your wound has not healed after 2-3 weeks of standard wound care, come see Dr. Schmetterer or Dr. Woods for a comprehensive evaluation in Youngstown and Northeast Ohio.
