Published: August 12, 2007 12:18 am            

Local hospital now offering procedure for varicose veins

PALESTINE — Palestine Regional Medical Center is now offering a new procedure that treats the underlying cause of painful, disfiguring varicose veins.

Dr. Robert Falconer is the first physician to adopt this procedure utilizing the VNUS ClosureFAST catheter, an endovenous radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter that is designed to heat, shrink and close diseased saphenous veins (large leg veins) in approximately three minutes of RF treatment.

The entire ClosureFAST procedure, from insertion of the catheter to removal, generally takes less than 20 minutes with virtually no pain or bruising for the patient.

“This state-of-the-art procedure is quick and my patients have experienced very little discomfort,” Dr. Falconer said. “They can simply get up and walk out in a matter of minutes and resume their normal activities the next day.

“The procedure is almost universally successful in sealing the vein and healthy circulation is restored almost immediately.”

The ClosureFAST catheter received FDA clearance in August 2006, providing a new treatment alternative for the 25 million Americans who suffer from the pain, swelling, fatigue and disfigurement of varicose veins.

Over 135,000 patients have been treated using this device so far.

The catheter is threaded into the diseased saphenous vein through a small incision, and RF energy is transmitted through the device to heat and seal the vein walls, forcing the body to re-route blood flow through healthier leg veins.

“Family history, pregnancy, excess weight and professions requiring extended standing are all risk factors for varicose vein disease, and I have seen men and women with varicose veins,” Dr. Falconer said. “We’re pleased to be able to offer this fast new procedure at Palestine Regional as a new and easier alternative to painful surgery for so many patients who have suffered from this disease for so long.”

For more information on this new procedure, please call 903-729-6010.

        

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