This procedure works well for varicose veins and there are no serious concerns about its safety. It should only be done by healthcare professionals who are trained to do it, and who have experience of using ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) to create an image of patients’ veins.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins, usually in the legs. They develop when small valves inside a vein stop working properly, allowing blood to collect in the vein. This can cause discomfort and lead to skin problems such as discolouration, inflammation and ulceration. In this procedure, medical glue (cyanoacrylate) is injected into a vein. This closes the vein (occlusion) and stops it filling with blood, aiming to improve symptoms.
The NHS website may be a good place to find out more. NICE’s information on interventional procedures guidance has more about what a procedure is and how we assess them.
Is this procedure right for me?
If you’ve been offered this procedure, your healthcare professionals should discuss with you what is involved and tell you about the risks and benefits. They should talk with you about your options, and listen carefully to your views and concerns. Your family can be involved too, if you wish. All of this should happen before you agree (consent) to have the procedure. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. Read more about making decisions about your care.
Some questions to think about
- What does the procedure involve?
- What are the possible benefits? How likely am I to get them?
- What are the risks or side effects? How likely are they?
- What happens if the procedure doesn’t work or something goes wrong?
- What happens if I don’t want the procedure? Are there other treatments available?
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