VenaSeal Glue Treatment for Varicose Veins
VenaSeal™ is a leading minimally invasive varicose vein treatment. Also known as the “superglue” treatment, it has revolutionised varicose vein removals by giving patients the ability to treat their veins quickly and effectively with minimal bruising and fast recovery. It uses advanced medical-grade glue to close off faulty vein valves and was approved in September 2011 for widespread medical use. As one of the very latest innovations in varicose vein removal, it has introduced a host of new breakthrough benefits to help patients treat their varicose veins in a quicker, more comfortable and less invasive way.
What is VenaSeal?
VenaSeal is an innovative treatment that is specially designed to target varicose veins in the legs. It does this utilising a specialised medical-grade glue developed by Sapheon to seal damaged varicose veins and break them down. Glue is injected into the varicose vein using a fine catheter tube and seals the vein’s inner walls. The treated vein then shrinks and breaks down over time before the body disposes of it through natural processes. Blood is then forced to redirect itself through healthier veins. This relieves the treated patient of classic varicose vein symptoms like pain, lumps and swelling. The simple treatment takes less than 30 minutes to complete using a local anaesthetic and requires just one single injection.
What is VenaSeal made of?
The VenaSeal ‘superglue’ is a type of adhesive called a ‘Cyanoacrylate’ that collapses and permanently seals off an unhealthy varicose vein channel. It was developed in highly specialised laboratories to be completely safe for injection into the body. It has a soft and elastic formulation with mild ‘anti-microbial’ effects. Upon injection into a vein channel, it rapidly reacts to seal off the channel, without migrating into other areas. Such glues have been used since the 1950s and have full medical-grade approval from the FDA.
What veins can VenaSeal treat?
The VenaSeal glue treatment has been designed to treat the great saphenous vein (GSV) which runs through a person’s legs. This key vein is the largest vein in the human body. VenaSeal can also be used to treat the surrounding superficial truncal veins that lead off from the main saphenous vein. If patients need their shallow surface veins treated, then treatments like foam sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomies are more suitable.
Why should you consider VenaSeal?
One of the main benefits of VenaSeal is that it requires fewer injections than rival treatments. This makes it ideal for patients who are more needle-phobic. The treatment only requires one single anaesthetic injection per varicose vein and has a super short recovery period. So patients do not need to wear supportive compression stockings after having it done. This makes it an ideal choice for patients who require a quick-fix solution that minimises any undue hassle. The Private Clinic’s consultant vascular surgeon Tahir Hussain, who performs this treatment regularly, has had it himself during his lunch break, proving just how easy and stress-free it can be:
“I’ve carried out this procedure in hundreds of patients, and I even had it done myself in my lunch break, after developing varicose vein symptoms at the age of 52. I had some clearly visible veins on my body, but after the quick treatment, they just shrank away and after a few months, the residual pain had completely gone.” – Mr Tahir Hussain
VenaSeal also has a high rate of success, with one clinical study (the VeClose study) showcasing how the treatment is 98.9% effective at 6 months after treatment. Studies have also shown that it has a low risk of complications and excellent medium-term results.
Benefits of VenaSeal
Unlike other varicose vein removal treatments that physically remove the vein, VenaSeal uses a medical adhesive to close off the damaged varicose vein channel. A tiny incision of 2-3mm is made at the treatment site to access the vein, and only one anaesthetic injection is applied. This gives it several key advantages:
- Minimally invasive
- Only one needle is used to inject the targeted vein
- Little discomfort during the procedure
- Reduced recovery time, allowing a rapid return to work or day-to-day activities
- Tumescent-free glue solution, so swelling is minimised. This eliminates the need for multiple needles
- Minimal bruising
- No need for patients to wear compression stockings after the procedure, although some patients might benefit from them
The VenaSeal Consultation
A consultant vascular surgeon will assess the state of your varicose veins during a specialised consultation. They will use a duplex ultrasound scanning system to get a clear visual picture of the blood flow in your varicose veins, and the damage to your vein valves. Varicose veins occur when the tiny valves that regulate blood flow inside a vein stop working properly. This allows blood in the vein channel to flow backwards and pool inside the vein, leading to the typical bulging and swelling effect that varicose veins are well known for. This irregular blood flow is called ‘venous reflux’ and must be prevented from happening in order to fix the underlying varicose vein issue.
By having the ultrasound scan, your vascular surgeon will be able to see the pattern of your venous reflux, and where they will need to inject to fix it.
The VenaSeal Procedure
Once the site of injection has been identified, your vascular surgeon will inject it with a local anaesthetic to provide immediate pain relief throughout the procedure. A small incision measuring between 2-3mm will then be made to give the vascular surgeon direct access to the targeted vein.
VenaSeal Glue Treatment
Once the area is completely numb, a fine catheter tube is inserted into the vein. The catheter is strategically placed along the damaged vein to deliver small amounts of medical adhesive throughout the diseased vein channel. Ultrasound will be used during this time to position the catheter in the correct place. The glue is then pushed through the catheter to instantly close the vein channel and bond it shut. Once this quick procedure has taken place, a small bandage will be applied to the injection site to seal it off and promote healing.
How long does it take for VenaSeal to work?
The glue treatment works immediately to push blood out from the affected vein and close it off. It then takes a few months for the vein to completely shrink before the body disposes of it naturally.
How long is the VenaSeal recovery process?
VenaSeal patients usually recover in less than 1 day. As a minimally invasive procedure, VenaSeal allows patients to rapidly return to their normal activities. Upon having the procedure, patients are usually asked to take a quick 10-minute walk to check that everything is fine. Most patients leave the clinic straight after having it completed.
As a walk-in, walk-out procedure, it requires no overnight stay. Patients are not required to wear compression stockings in the vast majority of cases.
VenaSeal Aftercare
In-Clinic Aftercare
Once the treatment has been completed, our practitioners will explain the recovery process and expected results before verifying that it is safe for you to leave. You will also be given direct contact aftercare numbers should you feel the need to discuss your treatment with our medically trained aftercare team.
At-Home Aftercare
Normal daytime activities like walking and sitting are fine to complete after having a VenaSeal treatment. Patients should take a 10-15 minute walk each day for the first 2 weeks after treatment to promote normal circulation. However, patients should avoid strenuous physical activities, heavy lifting and the use of hot tubs for the first 5-7 days. We also advise patients to avoid taking long-haul flights for at least 2-4 weeks after the treatment.
VenaSeal complications and side effects
The vast majority of VenaSeal treatments are quick and painless. There are few side effects thanks to minimal injections and the pinhole nature of the surgical incision. In some instances, treated veins may become inflamed, which can be minimised with anti-inflammatory medication. Patients may also experience mild to moderate pain for 1-2 weeks after. This can be addressed using over-the-counter analgesics. Some tenderness and bruising along the treatment site may also occur. However, the risk is less than other procedures like EVLA, which require more injections.
VenaSeal Before and After Photos
VenaSeal’s rapid results, minimal complications and simplicity make it one of our most popular treatments. Explore our VenaSeal before and after photos below to see how the treatment has transformed the legs of our patients:
VenaSeal Treatments at The Private Clinic
The Private Clinic is one of the UK’s leading VenaSeal vein clinics with over 40 years of experience in treating varicose vein conditions. Our consultant vascular surgeons are widely acclaimed for their professional expertise, having played a central part in developing and improving varicose vein removal treatments for a UK customer based. Our 5-Star Trustpilot rating reflects our consistent dedication to high standards and exceptional patient results.
To learn more about our VenaSeal treatment or any of our additional varicose vein procedures, fill out our varicose vein online enquiry form.
Alternatively, you can call us directly on 0333 920 2471. We have a range of conveniently located clinics spread across the UK in the following locations: London Harley Street, Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.
