TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Minimally Invasive Treatment of Varicose Veins A1 - Beasley, Karen L. A1 - Weiss, Robert A. A2 - Avram, Marc R. A2 - Avram, Mathew M. A2 - Ratner, Désirée Y1 - 2015 N1 - T2 - Procedural Dermatology AB - The development of minimally invasive methods to heat, denature, and shrink varicose veins has been a major achievement in the field of phlebology and medicine. Minimally invasive endovenous occlusion techniques using radiofrequency (RF) or laser are now the standard of care in the United States. When saphenous venous system reflux is present, it must be addressed prior to the treatment of visible associated varicosities, reticular veins or telangiectasias. Without elimination of reflux, the patient will be doomed to recurrence of the varicosities and smaller vessels below the level of saphenous vein reflux. Previously, the only treatment option for these patients with varicose veins from saphenous insufficiency was surgical ligation and stripping of the vessels under general anesthesia. This procedure resulted in significant postoperative down time with surgical scars, swelling, bruising, and pain. The expense of a hospital stay and missed work, along with an unacceptable rate of recurrence, has greatly decreased the popularity of this procedure. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/18 UR - dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1175095804 ER -