Bringing 'Closure' to Vein Problems

Elizabeth Leary of Braintree was among 25 million Americans who suffer from pain and swelling associated with varicose veins. That all changed in January, thanks to a minimally invasive technique performed by South Shore Hospital vascular surgeon Joseph Iovino, M.D.

The results are amazing. There's no more pain and my leg looks great," Leary says, recalling years of discomfort and unsightly discoloration caused by varicose veins in her right leg. "Before, by the end of the day, my leg would be throbbing."

Varicose veins develop when valves that regulate blood flow in leg veins don't work properly. The condition is more common in women than men, and can be exacerbated by pregnancy. Traditional treatment involved "stripping" or removing the veins, a painful process that required a lengthy recovery. The new ClosureT technique uses an electrode-tipped catheter to deliver radio-frequency waves to close off the damaged vein, naturally directing blood flow away from varicose veins and into healthier veins. Patients experience little or no postoperative pain or swelling and can get back to normal activity almost immediately. Leary was well enough to shovel snow the day after her procedure.

"I wish this had been available seven years ago. I wouldn't have waited," Leary says, "I'd tell anyone who's thinking about it: don't hesitate."