Q: What is the VenaSeal Closure System?

VenaSeal is an FDA-approved , outpatient treatment for varicose veins, a common symptom of venous reflux disease. This minimally invasive procedure (technically known as cyanoacrylate embolization) uses a medical adhesive to seal off and collapse the diseased vein, which reroutes blood flow through nearby healthy veins. This specially formulated vein glue (the same type of adhesive that's been used in medical procedures since the 1950s, as an alternative to sutures) stays soft even after sealing off the vein, so you won't be able to feel it. Developed by Medtronic, VenaSeal treatment relieves the swelling, cramping, and the feeling of heaviness in the lower legs and thighs that can come with chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins. It can also be used to treat swollen veins that can develop in the vulval area and inner thigh during pregnancy, and to treat lipoedema, the abnormal development of fatty tissue.

Q: What are the pros and cons of VenaSeal glue?

Pros It has great success rates, with a high vein closure rate. In a recent clinical study, 94.6% of patients treated with VenaSeal still had closed veins five years after their treatment. The procedure is quick (about 15 minutes) and relatively painless, especially compared to more invasive options like vein stripping surgery. There are few reported side effects. This varicose vein treatment can alleviate discomfort and swelling, while helping patients avoid serious medical like blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). No compression stockings or tumescent anesthesia are needed post-procedure. A VeClose clinical study found the treatment results from VenaSeal were comparable to thermal radiofrequency ablation, another vein treatment option that carries more risks (like skin burns and nerve injury). Cons You may feel the catheter tugging on the vein as it’s inserted, which can feel odd. Some patients experience phlebitis (i.e., inflammation of a vein) within the first 30 days after the procedure, but this side effect should resolve on its own. Rarely, people develop an infection—either at the insertion point or within the treated vein. It's not the treatment of choice for more superficial spider veins. Related: These Are the Top Treatments for Varicose and Spider Veins

Question 1

What is the VenaSeal Closure System?

Accepted Answer

VenaSeal is an FDA-approved, outpatient treatment for varicose veins, a common symptom of venous reflux disease. This minimally invasive procedure (technically known as cyanoacrylate embolization) uses a medical adhesive to seal off and collapse the diseased vein, which reroutes blood flow through nearby healthy veins.

This specially formulated vein glue (the same type of adhesive that's been used in medical procedures since the 1950s, as an alternative to sutures) stays soft even after sealing off the vein, so you won't be able to feel it.

Developed by Medtronic, VenaSeal treatment relieves the swelling, cramping, and the feeling of heaviness in the lower legs and thighs that can come with chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.

It can also be used to treat swollen veins that can develop in the vulval area and inner thigh during pregnancy, and to treat lipoedema, the abnormal development of fatty tissue.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of VenaSeal glue?

Accepted Answer

Pros

It has great success rates, with a high vein closure rate. In a recent clinical study, 94.6% of patients treated with VenaSeal still had closed veins five years after their treatment.
The procedure is quick (about 15 minutes) and relatively painless, especially compared to more invasive options like vein stripping surgery.
There are few reported side effects.
This varicose vein treatment can alleviate discomfort and swelling, while helping patients avoid serious medical like blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
No compression stockings or tumescent anesthesia are needed post-procedure.
A VeClose clinical study found the treatment results from VenaSeal were comparable to thermal radiofrequency ablation, another vein treatment option that carries more risks (like skin burns and nerve injury).

Cons

You may feel the catheter tugging on the vein as it’s inserted, which can feel odd.
Some patients experience phlebitis (i.e., inflammation of a vein) within the first 30 days after the procedure, but this side effect should resolve on its own.
Rarely, people develop an infection—either at the insertion point or within the treated vein.
It's not the treatment of choice for more superficial spider veins.

Related: These Are the Top Treatments for Varicose and Spider Veins

Question 3

How much does VenaSeal cost?

Accepted Answer

The average cost of VenaSeal is $2,500. The price you pay will depend on the experience level of your doctor, their practice location, and the extent of work needed.

Most insurance companies cover varicose vein treatment, but not all of them cover VenaSeal, which can be more expensive than other treatment options.

Whether or not your treatment is covered will likely depend on the severity of your symptoms and whether your provider can document the fact that the treatment is medically necessary. Most vein centers are well-versed in pre-authorization protocols for insurance and Medicare.

Just keep in mind that even if your treatment is covered, you'll probably still have out-of-pocket costs. Once your coverage is approved, ask your provider for an estimate of what you'll have to pay.

Question 4

VenaSeal before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The VenaSeal photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

What happens during a VenaSeal procedure?

Accepted Answer

This in-office varicose vein treatment takes about 15 minutes and can treat two or more veins during one appointment.

Once the area is numbed with a topical anesthetic, your vein specialist inserts a thin catheter through the skin and, using ultrasound guidance, injects a small amount of the medical-grade adhesive into the affected vein, permanently sealing it.

They remove the catheter, apply light pressure, and apply a small bandage to the area.

Blood flow that was once backed up gets rerouted through healthy veins.

Question 6

How long does recovery take?

Accepted Answer

Recovery time is minimal; in fact, you should be able to return to normal activities right away, and symptoms of pain and swelling should improve rapidly once the diseased vein is closed.

“What makes VenaSeal stand out from other treatments is that no compression stocking is needed, so you can exercise without restriction immediately following the procedure. No anesthesia is needed, no incisions are needed, and the discomfort related to both the procedure itself as well as discomfort during the recovery are less than with the other procedures out there,” explains Dr. Joel Gotvald, a vascular surgeon in Austin, Texas.

Your provider will ask you to return for a follow-up ultrasound two weeks after your treatment, to confirm that the treated vein has successfully closed. You may also need to come back for additional follow-ups at three months and one year later.

Question 7

How safe is VenaSeal, and what are the side effects?

Accepted Answer

VenaSeal is considered very safe, and side effects are usually mild.

It's possible to have some bruising, swelling, and pain in the treated area, but many patients don't experience this. Unlike other sclerotherapy treatment options, such as radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser, the VenaSeal closure system procedure is an entirely non-thermal procedure, so there's less bruising and pain associated with VenaSeal than with other treatment options for venous diseases.

There's also a lower risk of chemical irritation with VenaSeal than with a chemical sclerotherapy treatment like Varithena, though it is possible to have an allergic reaction to the glue.

Other possible risks include bleeding at the access site, hyperpigmentation, infection, phlebitis, vascular rupture, and visible scarring. Very rarely, patients experience deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Talk with your vein specialist about these risks and how they mitigate them.

VENASEAL

Colleen Williams

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Colleen Williams

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