Vein problems are very common these days. These include not only the dreaded thrombosis, but also visually very unsightly varicose veins (varices) or spider veins. These varicose veins can be treated in various ways. One relatively new method is treatment with a vein adhesive, also known as VenaSeal.
The following text explains what this method is all about, how it is carried out and what complications can occur.
There are adhesives that are not only approved for DIY and handicrafts, but also for medical applications. These include the most commonly used adhesive N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate, often simply called cyanoacrylate . This adhesive can be used to seal tissue.
Typical applications include superficial cuts, surgical wounds during minor procedures, but also varicose veins in particular. This is why cyanoacrylate is often referred to as vein glue. It can be applied to dilated veins(varicose veins) to close them permanently.
Cyanoacrylate is an adhesive whose direct effect permanently bonds tissue together. It is therefore also suitable for strongly dilated veins up to a diameter of around 8 cm in order to achieve adhesion. Sclerosing agents, such as polidocanol, on the other hand, are active substances that cause inflammatory changes in the vessel wall. This also glues them together, but this procedure is only suitable for smaller veins such as spider veins.
The advantage of cyanoacrylate is therefore not only its effectiveness in severely dilated veins but also the fact that it does not cause an inflammatory reaction.
Cyanoacrylate has been on the market since 1958 as a so-called "superglue". In the meantime, it has also been used in spray form in war zones (e.g. Vietnam War) to quickly stop acute bleeding. It has also revolutionized forensic technology, as cyanoacrylate is the basis for creating fingerprints.
Cyanoacrylatehas been approved for the treatment of varicose veinssince 2011 and has been increasingly used since then. It is a so-called endoluminal procedure for varicose vein therapy, which means "from the inside". During the operation, known as vein stripping, the diseased vein is completely removed. With endoluminal procedures, on the other hand, it is glued from the inside.
Vein sealing with cyanoacrylate is an endoluminal procedure for treating varicose veins. Endoluminal means"treatment of the vein from the inside". In contrast, in the surgical procedure known as vein stripping, the pathologically dilated vein is exposed from the outside and completely removed.
Laser and radiofrequency therapy are also endoluminal procedures. In contrast to the application of glue, which is a chemical procedure, laser and radiofrequency therapy are characterized by the application of heat. They are therefore also referred to as thermal procedures.
Thermal procedures and the natural generation of heat cause damage to the skin and surrounding soft tissue. For this reason, a cooling liquid must always be injected around the treated vein during these procedures. Nevertheless, burns to the skin and soft tissue can occur. This does not occur with chemical treatment with glue, but the glue must be injected into the vein quickly and with special catheters. This is the so-called VenaSeal procedure, which is carried out with a special device(VenaSeal Closure System) .
The VenaSeal Closure System is a special medical device that consists of long catheters and several pressurized syringes. The syringe is used to administer the adhesive quickly and under pressure into the vein, which is then compressed from the outside.
This procedure means that no anesthetic or other medication needs to be administered to the patient. Only the puncture site where the catheter is inserted into the vein is anesthetized. In addition, several probing wires and a sonography device are sometimes used as aids. This can make it easier to insert the catheter and place it correctly in the vein to be treated.
VenaSeal is generally used for varicose veins that the patient wishes to have removed in a gentle manner. VenaSeal is suitable for patients who want to return to work or sport very quickly.
This is also the great advantage of this procedure: the patient is usually ready to return to work immediately and the procedure takes around 20 minutes. As no medication is required either before or after the treatment, the recovery time is so short that no loss of work or sporting activities is to be expected.
Although the VenaSeal method does not require anesthesia or sedation, a local anesthetic is usually administered at the site where the vein is penetrated from the outside. The catheter is then inserted into the abnormally dilated vein at this point. The vein glue is then injected into the vein using a type of gun and the vein is compressed from the outside. The catheter is then withdrawn and the vein, if it is dilated over a longer distance, is gradually sealed.
After the vein has been glued, it is gradually broken down by the body. It makes sense and is recommended to wear compression stockings in the initial phase, which have usually already been fitted and worn. For most patients with varicose veins, wearing compression stockings is nothing new and they are very familiar with them.
The advantages of this treatment clearly lie in its gentle application. As already mentioned, the patient does not have to take any medication or have the area to be treated injected with cooling fluid. This therapy offers protection against skin burns or nerve damage. Another advantage is the rapid recovery phase for the patient, who can usually return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure. This means that no medication needs to be taken after the treatment and no sick leave is required.
The advantages of VenaSeal treatment at a glance:
The VenaSeal treatment is usually free of annoying side effects. The patient usually feels nothing apart from the puncture for the catheter access. The sensation is comparable to that of a blood sample. However, the usual dangers or complications can still occur. These include, for example, pulmonary embolism, vascular perforations, phlebitis, bruising or infections. Theoretically, however, these complications can also occur with normal punctures or punctures.
Special aftercare is not usually necessary with this treatment method. Nevertheless, it is advisable to check the treated vein regularly using ultrasound in order to detect recurrences, i.e. the formation of new varicose veins, at an early stage.
