Gluing varicose veins

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Gluing varicose veins - what exactly does the procedure look like?

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. It begins with anesthesia of the puncture site and then insertion into the lumen of the catheter. The cyanoacrylate adhesive is pressed into the vein using a suitable dispenser. It is being introduced gradually. After injecting consecutive doses of glue, the gluing site is pressed in order to permanently fix the vessels, allowing for the closure of the blood supply in the diseased vein. Cutting off the blood supply starts the process of fibrosis. After the treatment is completed, a dressing is put on. The donning of pressure stockings is not required. The patient can then immediately return to normal activities of daily living. On average, the procedure performed on one leg takes 10-40 minutes.

What does the glue used for gluing varicose veins consist of and is it safe?

For gluing varicose veins, glue from the cyanoacrylate group is used, which has been used in surgery with minor modifications since the mid-twentieth century. The main chemical in the adhesive is cyanoacrylate, it is a compound that is insoluble in water. It is characterized by high adhesiveness (adhesion) as well as flexibility. It also has bacteriostatic properties - which effectively reduces the risk of infection. One of the adhesives currently used for the gluing of varicose veins is VenaBlock, which is distinguished by a short polymerization time as well as a compact polymer structure. Usually, when squeezed into a vein, it works 2 cm per second, which gives us a closure of 50 cm in 1 minute.

Preparation for the procedure

Preparation for the procedure begins with an interview with the patient and a Doppler examination. Duplex Dopller ultrasound enables the assessment of both the superficial and deep systems. Thanks to it, it is possible to obtain an exact topography of veins, distinguish reflux in superficial and deep vessels; distinguish between individual sections of insufficient vessels, or recognize deep vein thrombosis. If, for example, a thrombosis is found in the deep system, the patient cannot undergo surgery. During the visit, the specialist doctor also assesses whether the patient has allergic skin lesions or extensive skin lesions that accompany systemic diseases of the connective tissue, as they are also a disqualifying factor from the vein gluing procedure.

Advantages of the method of gluing varicose veins

Advantages of the method of gluing varicose veins:
• does not require tumescent anesthesia;
• does not require cutting;
• does not have the effect of tissue overheating;
• no need to wear elastic stockings for compression after the procedure;
• you can return to normal functioning immediately after the procedure;
• minimal or no scars;
• it can effectively close large venous trunks and varicose veins with a diameter exceeding even 10 mm, which is impossible in the case of foam sclerotherapy;
• it is highly effective - it gives even 97% of healed cases (full closure of the venous trunk).

Źródło:
• P. Siastała, Klejenie żył za pomocą systemów VenaBlock i Veinoff, „Magazyn medyczny CX News” 2017, nr 1/59, s. 15.
• A.A. Ramelet, Ph. Kern, M. Perrin, Żylaki i teleangiektazje, Gdańsk 2004, s. 130-131

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