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HOUSTON (KHOU) -- A different kind of varicose veins known as clusters veins
cannot be treated with laser, and still require a surgical procedure called
ambulatory phlebectomy.
When a patient named Wanda arrives, the doctor points out where the veins are,
and tells her, "This big cluster here, sitting on the front of the bone, is a
danger to you." He marks the vein while she stands, then numbs it and removes
it. She assures him she's fine. He puts a dressing on her leg and tells her she
can go.
Another patient, Juanita Wright, started getting varicose veins in high school,
playing volleyball. But it has only been later in life that they have started
to cause her pain. Wright says the real trouble comes when she walks three
times a week. She says, " I notice my legs are real sore when I come back."
Due to advances in ultrasound technology, doctors can now see how to safely
remove cluster veins. Today Wright stands so Dr. William Berry can mark the
exact cluster of veins he will remove.
Berry describes the problem, "There is considerably more blood in her leg than
the good Lord designed her to have and particularly as the day goes on her leg
feels heavy. Her leg feels like she's dragging something. Fatigue sets in."
First, he injects a numbing solution into the area on the leg where he will
remove the vein. Then he makes incisions less than an eighth of an inch on her
leg and removes the cluster vein.
Moments later, Berry describes what happens next: "A bandage is immediately
applied. The person goes back to normal living and we encourage exercise." That
proves to be the case. Within an hour Wright walks out of the office and
resumes her day.
Recent cutting edge treatment for varicose veins has been laser therapy, but in
spite of these advances, some patients still require surgery. So talk to your
doctor about your options.
The cost of an ambulatory phlebectomy is between $500 and $1000.
For more information, you can contact Dr. William Berry, The Greater Houston
Vein Center, 6655 Travis, Houston, TX 77030; phone 713-622-8346.
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