The Hottest and Coolest New Treatments for Spider and
Varicose Veins Provide More Options for Patients
 

    WASHINGTON, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Varicose and spider veins are a common
medical condition, affecting 50 percent of women and 20 percent of men in the
United States alone.  While varicose and spider veins can cause leg pain and
other physical symptoms, they also pose a cosmetic problem for many patients.
Women, in particular, often avoid outdoor activities because they are
embarrassed to wear shorts and try to mask the condition with cosmetics or, in
the worst case, a suntan.
    Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology's 2001 Annual
Meeting in Washington, D.C., dermatologist Robert Weiss, MD, Assistant
Professor, Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, discussed the hottest and coolest treatment options available for
patients with varicose or spider veins.

    VARICOSE VEINS
    Varicose veins are abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessels caused by
a weakening in the vein's wall, which often leads to pain and swelling in the
leg.  Varicose veins occur from the backward flow of blood in the legs caused
by damaged or diseased valves in the veins.  In the past, when the largest
superficial veins were involved, the only alternative was surgery with
stripping of the defective vein, a procedure that involves making an incision
in the skin and either tying off or removing the blood vessel.
    A new procedure to treat varicose veins called the Radio Frequency Closure
technique was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March
1999.  Involved in initial testing of the Radio Frequency Closure technique,
Dr. Weiss was instrumental in the development of this new approach to treating
varicose veins.
    "What makes the Closure technique so appealing to patients with varicose
veins is that, unlike stripping, it is a minimally invasive procedure," said
Dr. Weiss.  "Patients can now be treated for varicose veins with just a needle
puncture and play golf the same afternoon instead of the traditional two weeks
of recovery."
    The Radio Frequency Closure technique involves inserting a small tube
called a catheter into the defective vein through a small puncture.  A
catheter delivers radio frequency energy to the vein wall, causing the vein to
shrink and seal shut.  Once the diseased vein is closed, neighboring healthy
veins take over to restore normal outflow of venous blood from the legs.  As
normal blood flow returns, symptoms typically are reduced.
    "Since its introduction, many more dermatologists across the country are
performing the Radio Frequency Closure technique," added Dr. Weiss.  "Also,
the procedure is no longer considered experimental and most insurance
companies will now cover it for medical purposes."
    Other new advancements in treating varicose veins include new hooks that
are less traumatic and can go through smaller incisions.  These hooks are used
for ambulatory phlebectomy, a procedure that involves the use of tiny
punctures to extract large varicose veins near the surface of the skin.  Also
new is the use of the Klein tumescent anesthesia pump that can inject larger
volumes of anesthesia at lower concentrations with much less discomfort for
the patient.

    SPIDER VEINS
    Spider veins are dilated small blood vessels located close to the surface
of the skin that have a red or bluish color.  Although they can appear
anywhere on the body, spider veins typically occur on the legs and face.
    Until recently, lasers were used primarily for facial veins, which are
small, superficial and red.  The legs have been difficult to treat with lasers
because the skin is thicker and the blood vessels comprising the spider veins
are deeper than those elsewhere on the body.  In addition, patients with
spider veins often tan their legs to help hide their condition -- which not
only increases their risk of developing skin cancer, but makes it harder to
treat with lasers.
    With most lasers, penetrating through a tan or naturally pigmented skin is
a risky procedure since the darker color absorbs most of the laser energy and
can burn the skin.  But now a new laser, the Nd: YAG 1064nm, uses wavelengths
just beyond visible light to penetrate the skin without heating the pigment,
thereby reducing the risk of burning or injury to the skin.  This makes the
1064 nm laser much safer for Asian, African-American, Middle Eastern and
tanned skin.
    Another improvement in the laser treatment of spider veins is the new
cooling method that protects the skin and makes the procedure less painful.
The cooling device is sprayed after the laser pulse in treating larger veins
to reduce heat injury as the vein "cools down" after the laser pulse is
delivered.  Furthermore, the use of a new polarizing scope allows the
dermatologic surgeon to see spider veins better because the spider veins
appear 3-dimensional, making the origin of the spider vein group more easily
identified and treated.
    "The advancements that have been made in treating spider veins really are
of great benefit to the patient," explained Dr. Weiss.  "Treatment is more
effective with fewer side effects, and patients undergoing laser treatment for
spider veins can resume normal activity immediately."

    The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most
influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations.  With a
membership of over 13,000 dermatologists worldwide, the Academy is committed
to:  advancing the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the
skin; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research
in dermatology; supporting and enhancing patient care; and promoting a
lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails.  For more information, contact the