Treatment of vein disease used to be complicated, with surgery once the only solution. The development of advanced minimally invasive techniques has dramatically transformed vein treatments. It has never been faster, safer, or simpler to treat vein disease than it is now. Office-based procedures guided by ultrasound have been proven to achieve the best results for patients.
VenaSeal, also called vein glue, is a safe, unique, and minimally invasive medical adhesive used to treat varicose veins quickly and effectively. It was approved by the FDA in 2015 after being thoroughly studied in Europe and the United States.
With VenaSeal, there is no need for multiple local anesthetic injections around the vein, unlike radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation, which both require many injections. The German VeClose study showed a 98.9% closure rate at six months.
Under ultrasound guidance, doctors insert a small catheter into the affected vein. Through this device, cyanoacrylate medical glue is delivered, which seals the vein by acting as an adhesive to close it from within. This technique has been widely used in other vascular procedures and has a strong safety record.
VenaSeal uses a single entry point and does not involve thermal or laser energy, making it virtually painless and reducing the risk of nerve injury. Once sealed, the vein hardens within a few hours and is gradually absorbed by the body over time.
After closure of the damaged vein, blood naturally reroutes through healthy veins, improving overall circulation. The procedure is minimally invasive, performed in an office setting, and typically requires no multiple injections along the vein.
Depending on the vein’s size and location, treatment may be done under direct visualization for superficial veins or with ultrasound guidance for deeper veins to ensure accurate placement.
One advantage of VenaSeal over radiofrequency ablation is that it closes the vein without using heat energy. As a result, tumescent anesthesia or anesthetic injections around the vein are not required.
The procedure is minimally invasive, typically takes about 30 minutes, does not require general anesthesia, and can be performed in an office setting for most patients. There is usually no downtime, allowing patients to resume daily activities immediately.
However, hypersensitivity and allergic reactions may occur more frequently with VenaSeal due to the use of medical “glue.” There is also a higher risk of vein inflammation (phlebitis) after the procedure. In addition, it is not covered by most insurance providers.
