A Novel Endoluminal Technique for Varicose Vein Management: The VNUS Closure

Abstract

In an attempt to reduce the morbidity of high tie and strip of the long saphenous vein various extraluminal and intraluminal electrosurgical devices have been employed in the past using monopolar energy to ablate varicose veins. As result of this full-thickness skin burns and saphenous nerve injuries were observed by surgeons using these techniques. This report describes the VNUS Closure, a novel endovascular computer-feedback-controlled application of bipolar electrothermal energy which ensures transmural heating of the vein wall while minimising thermal spread to neighbouring tissues.