Minimally invasive varicose vein treatment
Radio wave therapy: gentle treatment of varicose veins
Radio wave therapy is a particularly gentle procedure for treating internal varicose veins, in which the vein is thermally sealed from the inside. In many cases, a stripping operation can be avoided with this system. In contrast to conventional stripping surgery, general anesthesia is not required in many cases. Only a local anesthetic is applied along the vein with several needle pricks. It is often possible to return to everyday life a few days after the treatment.
Quick Facts
- Duration of intervention
- approx. 30-60 min
- Anesthesia
- local anesthesia
- Type of operation
- outpatient
- Clinic
- Preliminary investigation at all locations Implementation in Wiesbaden, Mainz
- Aftercare
- In many cases, compression stockings are only necessary for a short time
- Sport
- 2-3 weeks
- Socially acceptable
- directly after surgery
- Workable
- 1-7 day
Radio wave therapy for varicose veins: How does it work?
After a small local anaesthetic at the lower end of the vein to be treated, a radio wave catheter is inserted into the vein under ultrasound guidance and pushed precisely to the beginning of the vein. A local anaesthetic is applied along the vein, after which the thermal energy is released into the vein while the vein is compressed and the catheter is gradually withdrawn, causing the vein to close. Finally, a small plaster bandage is applied to the puncture site and the compression stocking is put on.
Radio wave therapy for varicose veins: A proven procedure
Radio wave therapy is a procedure that has been tried and tested in many studies and has proven to be safe to use with good treatment results. The procedure has been around for many years and is used in numerous centers worldwide.
Sources:
1) European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2022 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Venous Disease of the Lower Limbs. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg (2022) Volume 63, ISSUE 2, P184-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2021.12.024
The advantages of radio wave therapy
Compared to classic stripping surgery, patients recover much faster after radio wave therapy, bruising and possible pain are less pronounced and no or fewer incisions are required. General anesthesia is also not required in most cases. In many cases, wearing a compression stocking for a week is sufficient.
Disadvantages of radio wave therapy for varicose veins
Side effects of radio wave therapy are minor and rare. In around 3 % of cases, the truncal vein may reopen. Rarely, there is a loss of sensation in the skin, which disappears after a while. You will be informed in detail about the benefits and risks of the procedure in a personal consultation.
Will my insurance cover the costs?
More than 80 statutory health insurance companies cover the costs as part of a special care contract, but not all of them. Therefore, please contact your health insurance company or simply ask us whether we can settle this procedure with your health insurance company. Private health insurers usually cover the costs without any problems. If you have statutory health insurance and would like to cover the costs yourself, you should expect costs of around EUR 1400 depending on the findings and the veins to be treated.
Frequently asked questions about radio wave therapy
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. After radio wave therapy, it is usually sufficient to wear a compression stocking for a week during the day. The short duration of the stockings is one of the advantages of this method. A compression bandage is usually applied during the procedure and remains on the leg until the follow-up check on the first day. The patient then switches to stockings.
Moderate exercise such as short walks are possible and beneficial the day after the procedure. How long you should take a break from sport depends on the extent of the procedure and the type of sport. In general, you are not doing anything wrong if you take three weeks off. In the case of minimally invasive procedures such as radio wave therapy, less strenuous sports such as golf may be possible earlier. On the other hand, it may make sense to extend your break for more strenuous sports such as weight training. In general, it is important to listen to your own body and avoid overloading yourself when resuming sporting activities.
You may and should walk again after the procedure. You can move around at home as usual. Walks that are not too long are also recommended as long as the compression stocking is worn. Avoid anything that is strenuous or painful. It is advisable to elevate the treated leg during the first week. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods; walking and lying down are better. You should not resume fast walking or jogging for at least three weeks, but always discuss this with your doctor.
Strong heat is unfavorable after a radio wave operation because veins dilate and a lot of fluid is removed from the body through sweating. A lack of fluids and slow blood flow increase the risk of thrombosis. You should therefore wait at least four weeks before going to the sauna.
