Labial Veins Treated at Morrison Vein Institute

One of our patients tells her story about treatment of labial veins at Morrison Vein Institute…

“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 Morrison Vein Institute in 2009 for leg vein treatment, I became comfortable enough with Diana, my ultrasound tech, to ask if there was any treatment for labial veins. 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. Terri Morrison, RN, 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,” stated Heather.

Thank you Heather for sharing your story with us!

Cosmetic Sclerotherapy on Youtube

We recently had several videos and commercials made for educational purposes. I thought I would share them with you via Youtube.
This video was made to explain to patients what cosmetic sclerotherapy, also known as spider vein injections, was and why we do them.

Vein Treatments-Old & New

In the old days, when Nick Morrison, MD, performed varicose vein removal, “the treatment was often worse than the disease.”

For years the standard operating procedure to treat varicose veins was called stripping, explained Rogers . “The veins were cut out while the patient was under general anesthesia for over four hours,” he said. “The risk of complications from anesthesia for that long appears to be about 1,000 times higher than doing the procedure under local anesthetic as we do now.”

With the advent of radiofrequency VNUS Closure, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, Ambulatory Phlebectomy and endovenous lasers, we have new treatments that are done using only oral valium or a local anesthetic, which enables the patient to walk out of the office immediately after the procedure. None of the new procedures are done in the hospital, they are all minimally invasive and done in a doctors office.

Endovenous Laser Ablation is a minimally invasive method for treating varicose veins, under a local anesthetic, using laser energy to shrink and collapse the vein.

The MD team at the Morrison Vein Institute has done more than 4,000 endovenous thermal ablations in the last 11 years and more than 60,000 vein procedures in the last 15 years.

“There’s nothing more satisfying for me as a physician to help someone like this,” Dr Morrison insisted. “For traditional varicose vein surgery, a person couldn’t work for two to three weeks afterwards. Now, the patient is awake and comfortable while the procedure is going on. We have them walking right after the endovenous thermal ablation procedure, and they can return to work the next day, if they want to. The improvements start the first day and get better with each step of the treatment plan.”

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!

Foam Sclerotherapy as seen on Dr Oz

Recently there was a special on Dr Oz about a new treatment for varicose veins, called Foam Sclerotherapy.

Dr Nick Morrison, medical director of Morrison Vein Institute, was one of the first doctors in the United States to treat veins with Foam sclerotherapy. According to Dr Morrison, it has become a valuable alternative for the treatment of valvular insufficiency of the superficial veins of the lower extremities,including the great and small saphenous veins and their tributaries, recurrent varicose veins, perforating veins, and venous malformations.  Foam sclerotheraphy is appropriate for primary treatment or complementary to ligation, phlebectomy, or thermal ablation.

Dr Morrison travels all over the world teaching other practitioners about veins and vein disease, and the treatments available. One of which is Foam Sclerotherapy, as seen in this picture.

No more Saline, now Asclera

Polidocanol, now FDA-approved name is called Asclera and Sotradecol have replaced painful saline solutions. Now the medicine is painless, and doesn’t sting patients. It can be given in a liquid or foam based injection, as seen on Dr. Oz.

All sclerosing medicines make the vein look like it disappears at the time of the injection- this shows us that the vein was treated- but it is a biological process for the vein to close. We have found that compression stockings after the sessions improve appearance and minimize the risks of side effects like staining or matting. This is an international consensus.

Veins Be Gone!!!

If you had 3 magic wishes and a genie in a bottle, would you wish for your veins to disappear on your legs?   With new minimally-invasive procedures, such as laser or VNUS catheter ablations, you can have all of your veins treated in the office without  surgery, and minimal scarring and downtime. You can have your veins treated on Friday, go to your child’s soccer game on Saturday and be back to work on Monday. Don’t suffer with night cramps, restless legs, ankle swelling or heavy tired legs anymore! Ask Morrison Vein Institute to grant you your wish of healthy legs.

Do You Have Time on Your Hands?

Want to turn back the clock on your hands?

Sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy are 2 ways to remove the bulging veins on your hands, so they look younger! We can help, Call Morrison Vein Institute to set up a consultation about your hands today.

The Closure Method to treat veins

The History

A saphenous vein runs up the leg from ankle to groin. Its job is to help return oxygen-depleted blood to the heart. In some, this vessel functions properly. However, if the valves (which are designed to prevent blood from flowing backwards) in the saphenous vein don’t function properly—a condition called superficial venous reflux—numerous problems occur. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, fatigue and varicose veins.

Varicose veins are known for their distinctive blue color and bulging appearance on the skin. Resembling large, elongated worms, they afflict an estimated 10%-20% of the adult population. In the United States, that translates into 20-25 million people.

Whether the initial cause is genetics, pregnancy, prolonged standing, or a damaged saphenous vein, the physiology of varicose veins is nearly always the same. The valves in the saphenous vein are damaged— physicians call them incompetent– and the veins near the skin surface are stretched and distorted from the increased pressure caused by blood flowing in the wrong direction. Venous reflux (or incompetent valves) in the saphenous vein is often the underlying cause of varicose veins.

Although this condition is rarely life threatening, it is often painful and unattractive.

Treatment Options

Historically, patients have had a couple choices for treating varicose veins, depending on the severity.

They could make lifestyle changes, such as eating less, exercising more and wearing support hose. This regimen has proven helpful in reducing symptoms, but only as long as the hose are worn consistently. There is no evidence that wearing support hose prevents further deterioration of the vein. Sooner or later most patients return to their previous lifestyles, and thus their previous symptoms typically re-occur.

Patients could also have the visible, varicose veins removed in a procedure called “micro-phlebectomy”. This surgical technique was developed in the 1950s. A specially trained physician removes diseased veins through a series of very small punctures or incisions with a variety of specialized surgical instruments. However, phlebectomy alone does not address the incompetent valves in the saphenous vein which created the problem and can cause varicose veins to recur.

Some physicians thus advocate the removal of, or stripping, the saphenous vein. This typically causes significant bruising and can create post-operative pain, nerve damage and poor short-term cosmetic outcomes. So, most good vein doctors do not do stripping

The Closure® System was developed over a four year period to treat superficial venous reflux providing the benefits of stripping without the associated drawbacks, e.g. invasive surgical procedure, general anesthesia, post-operative pain, bruising and prolonged recovery period. This patented technology uses a very small catheter and radiofrequency energy to occlude, or seal shut, the saphenous vein. The Closure procedure is an outpatient technique that is often performed in a physician’s office.  There are no stitches and most patients return to normal activity within a day or two.

Recent published studies found that at 12 and 24 months following the Closure procedure, 90% of treated veins remained reflux free and a significant reduction of limb pain, fatigue and edema was observed. In one study that also assessed patient satisfaction at 6 months, 98% of patients indicated they would recommend Closure to a friend with similar leg vein problems.

Like other venous procedures, the Closure procedure involves risks and potential complications. Each patient should consult their doctor to determine whether or not they are a candidate for this procedure, and if their condition presents any special risks. Complications reported in medical literature include numbness or tingling (paresthesia), skin burns, blood clots and temporary tenderness in the treated limb.

“Doctors using the Closure system offer a different view. ‘It’s the best thing available,’ says Nick Morrison, MD. He says he has successfully treated over 4600 people with the Closure method, and he has checked patients up to a year after treatment. Recurrence rates are  less than 10%.” Dr Nick Morrison was the first in the southwest United States to perform this procedure.

Questions about veins answered by Dr Nick Morrison

Q. What can happen if diseased veins are left untreated?
A.  Left untreated, diseased veins will cause worsening symptoms and appearance. Uncommonly these veins may result in ulcers or external bleeding, and rarely blood clots that could travel to the lungs, brain or heart, and may cause death.

Q. How much time is involved in each type of treatment and how soon will I see results?
A.  Treatment sessions are usually 45 to 60 minutes. Most cases require three to six treatments, depending on the severity of the condition. In some cases, results are immediate; others may take a few weeks or months for complete improvement. We also recommend the use of support stockings to maintain the results.

Q. What is the success rate of today’s varicose vein treatments?
A.  At the Morrison Vein Institute, we follow up with our patients the next day, then regularly throughout the first year. After one year, our success rate is over 90 percent.