Dr Morrison Meeting with other World-Experts Over Memorial Day Weekend

Dr Morrison writes from Croatia today…”My meeting is a Consensus Conference on Endovenous Thermal Ablation for varicose veins, under the auspices of the International Union of Phlebology and organized by Sanja Schuller-Petrovic of Austria, Milos Pavlovic of Slovenia, and Eberhard Rabe of Germany. It is intended to come away from the meeting having developed best practice guidelines for Endovenous Thermal Ablation of varicose veins, which will have worldwide distribution and implications in the vein world.”

 

 

 

Phlebology Experts Meeting in Croatia this Month

Dr. Morrison will travel to Hvar, Croatia for the “UIP International Consensus Meeting on Practical Guidelines for Endovenous Thermal Ablation of Varicose Veins” to be held May 25-27. This is an international group of experts gathered to develop best practice guidelines for treatment of saphenous veins with laser or radiofrequency energy. This procedure is used to alleviate varicose veins and symptoms associated with them such as leg aching, pain, night cramps, restless leg, itching, burning, and foot or ankle swelling. The Morrison Vein Institute (MVI) has been performing these procedures since 1999 and many adaptations of these procedures have been developed at MVI.

World-Renowned Phlebologists Meet in Sedona

Dr. Morrison hosted the 5th Annual Sedona Days medical conference which featured extensive discussions among nearly 40 invited vein specialists, including many of the leading phlebologists in the world. This unique conference format was developed for German-speaking phlebologists in Appenzell, Switzerland and in 2007 Dr. Morrison organized and hosted the 1st Sedona Days conference.

This year the compression stocking company, Medi, provided an unrestricted education grant to allow the conference to continue on an annual basis, for which Dr. Morrison and all invited attendees thanked the Medi staff.

The topics that were covered included Compression Therapy for Mixed Ulcers, presented by Drs. Hugo Partsch of Austria and Giovanni Mosti of Italy, perhaps the two most important investigators in the world regarding compression therapy; Mechanical Phlebectomy by Prof. Tom Wakefield, from the University of Michigan; Patient Positioning for Venous Duplex Examination and Duplex Findings in Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency by Joseph Zygmunt,RVT and Diana Neuhardt, RVT, two of the most respected sonographers in the U.S.; Complex Venous Disorder Live Case Duplex Evaluation by Dr. Nicos Labropoulos of Stonybrook University; Management of Superficial Thrombophlebitis and Indications for Factor Xa Inhibitors by Dr. Stephanie Dentoni, Vascular Medicine specialist; Bonn Vein Study and Vein Consult Project by Prof. Eberhard Rabe, President of the German Phlebology Society and Felizitas Pannier of Maastricht University, Netherlands; Long Catheter Foam Sclerotherapy and Duration of Injected Active Sclerosant by Dr. Attilio Cavezzi of Italy; Pelvic Venous Insufficiency by Drs. Mark Meissner from the University of Washington and Mel Rosenblatt of Connecticut; Inflammatory Aspects of Venous Disease by Dr. Joseph Raffetto from the VA Hospital in Bostin, and Markers of Progressive Primary Venous Insufficiency by Drs. Robert Kistner, one of the true pioneers of deep venous disease treatment, and Tony Gasparis of the Stonybrook University.

The presentations were outstanding as were the following discussions, some of which were held on a hike into the wilderness around Sedona Red Rock country.

We are very grateful to Medi, for the supporting grant and look forward to next year’s conference.

Dr Morrison in Paris

Dr. Morrison was in Paris last week for a meeting  with Bruce Sanders, Executive Director of the American College of Phlebology and the American College of Phlebology Foundation, and Dr. JJ Guex, Board of Directors, American College of Phlebology. They met with officials from Servier, makers of Daflon 500, one of the most important venotonic drugs internationally, in Paris. Discussions were held regarding Servier’s possible sponsorship of the UIP 2013 World Congress in Boston, hosted by the American College of Phlebology and of which Dr. Morrison serves as President of the Congress. This was a very informative discussion as Servier and the American College of Phlebology explore ways to increase collaboration.

Dr Morrison Presenting at IVC

Dr Morrison is speaking at the IVC annual meeting in May. More details at…

http://tinyurl.com/d9d2rrf   Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch

or

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/prnewswire/press_releases/Florida/2012/03/26/PH75977

 

Dr Morrison in Italy

Dr. Nick Morrison, medical director of Morrison Vein Institute, attended the International 12th Sclerotherapy Conference in Florence, Italy over the weekend. He presented a lecture on the relative clinical significance of lower leg swelling versus the finding of edema. He also was a moderator for an interesting session on foam sclerotherapy and management of leg ulcers. Dr Morrison said, “Included in the conference was some exciting information on new methods to treat patients with varicose veins by Dr. Alessandro Frullini and many others. It was a conference of high scientific quality in a beautiful setting just outside Florence in Tuscany.”

 

A Woman’s Story

One patient’s story about her leg veins, pelvic veins, and vaginal veins…

Heather wrote, “I was very familiar with varicose veins as a young girl because my mother had very large clusters of veins on the insides of both her legs and she had large scars down both her legs from where her veins were surgically stripped in the hospital after one of her pregnancies. My mom’s sisters also had varicose veins and my Mom made it clear that I would likely have that issue, too. I was 14 years old when I noticed my first varicose vein on the back of my right calf. I can also remember a friend in high school pointing out the enlarged veins in my ankles. I remember only wearing long shorts in high school and college because I had started to develop larger veins on the back of my thighs. By my early 20’s, I only exposed my legs when I had to. Long dresses, long skirts, and pants were my preferred style of dress because of my veins. I was embarrassed and self-conscious about my leg veins, but I did everything I knew to keep them from getting worse including wearing support hose(not medical grade though), exercising daily, and not crossing my legs or standing/sitting for too long.

After starting my teaching career in 1994, I decided to find out if there was anything I could do about my veins. They not only looked horrible, but had become extremely painful and achy especially during my period. I found it uncomfortable to stand or sit for more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time. I found a vein doctor in Scottsdale(I don’t recall his name) and made an appointment for consultation in early 1995(I was 24). The only thing that I remember about that appointment is that he told me that one of my legs was, “a three baby leg” which I believe meant that my legs looked like what a woman’s would look like after three pregnancies. He also told me that he only did procedures on women who were positive that they were finished having children. That was a very difficult day for me because I knew then that it would be years before I would be able to get my veins treated.

Life went on and I eventually got married at 30 and had my twin girls not long after. I wore compression hose for a good portion of my pregnancy, but they did little to ease the pain. Towards the end of my pregnancy, the only time my legs felt relief was in the pool.

After my twins were born, my husband and I decided we were done having children so I started to research vein treatments on the internet. This was mid-2003 and there were a number of places that offered vein treatment, but most were limited to visual injections(lots of cosmetic vein places, even ob/gyn offices were offering vein injections as a side business) Through my research, I realized that I needed a place that specialized in severe cases like mine. I wanted a doctor that specialized only in vein disease. I settled on Morrison Vein Institute and had a consultation with Dr. Morrison. I was very nervous and anxious, but hopeful about this appointment. Dr. Morrison and his staff were knowledgable, warm and understanding. Dr. Morrison outlined a plan to treat my veins and that included bi-lateral VNUS Closure, ambulatory phlebectomy, and ultrasound-guided injections. I started the process in early 2004 and while the treatments were painful the first week or two(I think I did the VNUS procedure and phlebectomies pretty close together). All of the treatments were well worth it. By the summer of 2004, I felt like I had a new pair of legs. I had virtually no pain, achiness, or throbbing. I was wearing shorts daily for the first time in my adult life and I loved it. Even though I had developed spider veins as a result of some of the procedures, they did not bother me either cosmetically (it’s all relative though, right?) or physically.

I had hoped that I would be one of the patients who did not have recurring veins, but I was not. After waiting a little too long, I returned in 2009 for treatment. My veins weren’t as severe, but still required a phlebectomy, VNUS closure on the small saphenous veins and more USG injections.

Before I became pregnant, I had also developed labial varicose veins. I had one in particular that became quite enlarged during the later stages of my pregnancy. It did decrease a little bit after the girls were born, but continued to be very painful. Over the years, my labial veins had continued to get worse even when I had no pain in my legs. When I went for Pap smears, doctors and PA’s would point out one particularly protruding labial varicose vein and ask me if it bothered me, but no one ever suggested treatment. During my return to Dr. Morrison in 2009, I became comfortable enough with Diana, my ultrasound tech, to ask if there was any treatment for them. She helped me to address the issue with Dr. Morrison and we discussed what course I would need to take to address those veins. First, I went for a pelvic ultrasound to look at what issues were going on. After that, Dr. Morrison decided to try to treat the main source of the problem by going up toward the pelvis through the leg veins and Dr. Morrison’s wife, Terri, injected the superficial labial veins. It was obviously more invasive and embarrassing than any of the procedures that I’d had up to that point, but everyone that I dealt with was so empathetic and understanding and helped me to feel comfortable. I was so glad to have had that kind of environment to feel comfortable not only bringing up the problem but then continuing treatment for the issue. I had to have Terri treat my labial veins more than once and she was wonderful. I have almost no pain or pressure at all any more in my labial area and the one large varicose vein I had in that area is gone.

I have learned several lessons through my varicose vein treatments over the years. First, and this really extends to anyone seeking medical treatment, it is important to do your own research and be your own advocate for care. For years, I went to doctors who noted my severe varicose veins. A few asked me about them, but not one suggested treatment of any kind. Second, choose a vein doctor who specializes in medical treatment of veins. I knew from my research leading up to my consultation and then after my consultation that Dr. Morrison was absolutely the right doctor to treat me. He was competent and capable. He explained every procedure to me, why he was doing what he was doing, and what results I would expect to see. He helped me understand my vein disease. On top of that, his staff is amazing. Every person I encounter at Morrison Vein is helpful and knowledgeable and goes out of their way to make me feel comfortable. They all seem to care about their patients. This warm, caring atmosphere helped me feel comfortable to ask more questions and pursue treatment for my labial veins. Finally, I learned to stay on top of my vein disease. I made the mistake of thinking(hoping, wishing) that I could get rid of my veins once and for all and not have to return for treatment. I was told very clearly by the nurses and Dr. Morrison to return for follow up treatment, but I was hoping that I’d be one of the lucky ones who do not have recurring veins. Fortunately, when I did return, I was warmly welcomed and if there was a well-deserved, “I told you so,” it was done in a very kind way. I have been doing a much better job of staying on top of my treatment to keep my vein disease under control.”

Thank you Heather for your heartfelt story! I know so many people who will relate.

PBS Special about Veins

The American College of Phlebology, ACP, is a national association for vein specialists in the United States. The ACP members just put on a PBS special about veins that aired Tuesday night on KAET/Channel 8 in Arizona. Phlebologists flew in from all over the country to be on an expert panel for the show, including our very own Dr Nick Morrison. Below is a link to watch the episode, in case you missed it:

http://healthyveins.org/

Dr Morrison Attended #AVF Meeting

Dr Morrison just got back from the Annual Meeting of the American Venous Forum in Florida. He says there was great scientific content and they learned about new technology. This should be a valuable asset to Morrison Vein Institute, and our patients.

Beautiful Legs Again

What if all the embarrassment and frustration of varicose and spider veins could be wiped away?

 Dr. Morrison is the Valley’s leading specialist in several simple yet revolutionary procedures that eliminate unsightly and unhealthy veins – all with little or no discomfort.

Visual and Foam Sclerotherapy(as seen on Dr Oz) – These are used to treat visible spider veins and varicose veins on the face, hands, breasts and legs. A painless injecting medicine called sclerosant causes these veins to shrink, close off, and eventually disappear. Although multiple treatments are often needed, you’ll experience long-lasting results.

Endovenous Laser Ablation and VNUS Closure, replaces vein stripping and are done in the office. They have short turn around times, so you are back to work the same or next day.

Why not take that step today?

 There’s no reason to live with the veins you’re ashamed of when they can be removed so easily at the Morrison Vein Institute. Give us a call to set up an appointment or to learn more about the treatments we offer.

Toll free- 1- 866- GRT – LEGS (478- 5347)

www.morrisonvein.com

Have beautiful legs again, make the right choice!