Radiofrequency Ablation of the Great Saphenous Vein - treatment of Varicose Veins with RFiTT

[visualfxardist]

Hey Mark, just a follow up question if you dont mind, Id love your opinion.. While using the "Vnus closure fast" 20 seconds, 7 segments, procedure, does it really closes off the GSV during the prodecure right away? What are the chances the GSV could reopen due to the activies like work outs after 2 weeks on the prodecure? What would be the symptoms in case if there is a chance the the GSV reopened? please advise

[TheWhiteleyClinic]

@visualfxardist

Yes, provided the procedure is performed technially correctly then the vein should be closed almost immediately and should not ever re-open - indeed over 6 months it should scar away to nothing on the inside.

To ensure good results - we used to do 2 cycles per segment (double what your father had) as this seems to give better results. Also, no vein surgery ever needs general anaesthetic anymore, unless the patient insists (ie: is needle phobic)

[visualfxardist]

Thank you. (My father just went through vnus closure RFA, 120 degrees celcius, 20 seconds on each segment, general anaesthesia) I saw the videos I found that usually when the procedure is carried out, the catheter is inserted just under the thigh or below the knee, and reached above until the groin to close off the GSV. What happens to the part of the GSV below the knee that runs upto the ankle? Would it close itself off? I posted a detailed question on your blog, would love your response.

[TheWhiteleyClinic]

@visualfxardist

Thank you for your follow up question - a response has been posted on the blog. Many thanks

[visualfxardist]

What are the chances of developing DVT after closing the GSV with RFA procedure? What would be the best way to avoid developing DVT after RFA on the left GSV? Will there be a chance the the vein can reopen within a few weeks after the treatmenet?

[TheWhiteleyClinic]

@visualfxardist

Thank you for your question. Because of the 500 character limit Youtube imposes, I have written a full answer that can be found at the following link markwhiteley(.)blogspot(.)com

[MrMarkWhiteley]

Thank you.

We used to use VNUS FAST (I did the first in the UK) - it is good for simple veins but can't be used for short segments in complex veins / recurrences - hence we find RFiTT better.

We can also treat perforators with RFiTT using our TRLOP technique - which you can't with VNUS FAST.

We have a tumescent pump and often use it but as we are a vein teaching unit we also teach autofill.

Your questions on RFiTT will be answered in our research paper that has been submitted.

[SaphenousS]

Our clinic uses VNUS RFA, as well as Total Vein's ThermaLite™

1470. I have also worked with several other lasers.

Couple of questions:

Why do you administer the anesthesia via autosyringe? Why not invest in a tumescent infiltration pump? It will greatly reduce the total ablation time, with no hand fatigue.

I am also curious about the 'auto stop function' with the RFiTT. Does that work well?

What is the standard pullback length per second for the RFiTT?