Confused about specialist vein treatments?

Don’t be mystified: leading consultant vascular surgeon Michael Gaunt offers an insight into modern methods

“Don’t shy away from treatment, help is on hand to find a procedure that is tailored to you and your lifestyle”

There’s a wide choice of treatments and procedures available to combat varicose veins and thread veins and it can be a little overwhelming. Finding the perfect treatment plan, that’s specifically tailored for you, is crucial to achieving the results you want. I recommend you consult a specialist, like myself, and talk to your GP to find the best solution for you.

Treatment Checklist

• See your GP or self-refer, depending on your preference - be referred to an experienced vascular surgeon
• Book a mini-consultation – if you just want to explore your options
• Book a full consultation and Duplex scan for an individual treatment plan, tailored for you so that you can find the best solution for you and your lifestyle
• Book your personalised treatment for a time convenient to you
• Minimal discomfort – enjoy the latest minimally invasive treatment, performed by your vascular surgeon

All modern treatments work by breaking down the varicose vein. The closed vein is no longer functional, and blood is redirected to the healthy veins. No two peoples’ varicose veins are the same and the right procedure for one person may not be successful for someone else. That’s why I perform a full assessment with an ultrasound scan to identify the problematic veins and recommend the best procedure and treatment plan.

“The latest minimally invasive treatments can be performed under local anaesthetic as a walk-in, walk-out procedure, with minimal post-operative discomfort and less impact on your lifestyle.”

ClariVein™ A tiny rotating wire is inserted inside the varicose vein whilst a sclerosant solution is injected to break down and seal the vein. This technique is the least invasive, requiring the smallest amount of local anaesthetic. The procedure takes around 30 minutes per leg.

Endovenous Laser A laser fibre is administered inside the vein. The laser heat penetrates the vein wall and as it is withdrawn up the leg the vein is destroyed. The procedure takes around 30 minutes per leg under local anaesthetic.
VNUS closure technique A special catheter is positioned inside the varicose vein. The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall. As the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated causing the vein to close. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic.

Foam Sclerotherapy A solution is injected into the veins and this causes them to collapse and fibrose. Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy can treat obvious varicose veins as well as incompetent long and short saphenous veins causing underlying problems. The procedure is performed in the Outpatient Clinic.

Book a mini consultation for just £95 and talk directly to Mr Michael Gaunt, Consultant Vascular Surgeon.

For more information visit: www.michaelgaunt.com
Spire Norwich Hospital 01603 255574
BMI Bury St Edmunds Hospital 01223 305858
Harley Street, London 01223 305858
Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital 01223 266990
Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital 01223 370922
Private Secretaries: 01223 305858

Ashamed to show your legs? There is a way out

One in four people suffers varicose veins which make them want to cover their legs at all times. Leading consultant vascular surgeon Michael Gaunt says you can walk with confidence again.

Click here to view the full article.

Varicose vein treatment - before and after photos

“Hello, Mr Gaunt operated on my leg about 7 weeks ago and during my follow up appointment he asked if I could send him my before and after photos. I have to say I am absolutely thrilled with the result and would whole heartedly recommend it to anyone living with ugly varicose veins, Best regards, Matt”

It is a common observation that men often delay in seeking treatment for their varicose veins until they are very large. These photos show a very impressive set of man-sized veins, and although I would always recommend treating veins at an earlier stage if possible, these photos show that by using modern techniques it is still possible to achieve an excellent result. Also they illustrate how the immediate post-op bruising, which can be impressive with very large veins, resolves after a few weeks to reveal an excellent functional and cosmetic result.

Keynote speech at Brazilian Venous Scientific Conference

In my role as a member of the executive council of the International Society for Vascular Surgery it was a pleasure to be invited to be a keynote speaker at a major Brazilian Venous Scientific Conference in Belo Horizonte. I gave three lectures on the treatment of varicose veins including endovenous laser techniques, Clarivein and injection sclerotherapy. The lectures were well received and stimulated some very interesting discussions.

It is always fascinating to attend international conferences and exchange views with colleagues from other countries and learn new techniques and approaches to common problems as well as forging new friendships and international links. As the picture shows I benefitted from excellent hospitality from my Brazilian hosts and I am very grateful to them for their kindness and generosity.

Belo Horizonte, June 2015

Let’s talk about varicose veins

I read with interest the news that the public in one part of the country have been consulted about the treatment of varicose veins.

The West Essex Clinical Commission Group invited the public, through an online questionnaire, to give their opinions and look overall at increased investment opportunities. The results of the questionnaire have not yet been made public, but the aspirations of the CCG should be applauded. Getting people talking about treatment and therefore raising awareness of varicose veins can only be a good thing.

Far too many people hide away from their varicose veins, believing it is a problem that can either be looked at another day or ignored completely. This is dangerous course of action which can ultimately lead to bigger issues down the line. I welcome anything that is done to get people talking about varicose veins. It is one of the reasons why I started my no-obligation, mini-consultations detailed on the home page of my website.

Videos will help challenge and change misconceptions about Varicose Veins

I am always looking at ways to further enhance the information and support I offer to patients and prospective patients.

As some of you may have noticed, we have improved our website further by adding some videos. You will find them on the ‘Home Page’ and also the ‘Conditions Treated’ page.

This format is a perfect way for me to explain ‘in person’ about my practice and what people can expect when they come to me for a consultation. I explain how to contact my team to arrange a consultation, while the video on the ‘Conditions Treated’ page explains varicose veins and thread veins and answers some common questions that people ask.
I hope these videos help to dispel some of the common myths surrounding varicose veins and thread veins and hopefully people will realise that effective treatment is a lot simpler than they think.

I look forward to welcoming you at my clinics.

The difference is clear after just 4 sessions of thread vein treatment

Thread veins and spider veins are often dismissed as a minor cosmetic condition by doctors but can be a significant blight for many people which prevents their full enjoyment of life. I’ve treated many who haven’t been swimming for years or who don’t feel able to wear shorts or a shorter skirt because they feel too self-conscious about exposing their legs.

As these photos show simple effective outpatient treatment is available. Usually, three or four 30 minute sessions of injection microsclerotherapy, with a session performed every few weeks can restore a normal appearance and allow you to ‘get your legs out’ and enjoy the summer for once!!!

Above: Significant reticular and threadveins affecting the thigh before and after 4 sessions of injection sclerotherapy.

ClariVein – Results so far

In 2011, I was one of the first surgeons in the UK to offer the new technique of ClariVein for the treatment of varicose veins. We have now treated over 350 patients with the technique and I have been invited to present our results at the Vascular Society of GB & Ire. Meeting in November.

In the presentation, I will describe how successful ClariVein is for the treatment of varicose veins and how it can be performed in the outpatient clinic rather than the operating theatre. By use of local anaesthetic nerve blocks, we can achieve excellent anaesthesia and combine ClariVein with phlebectomies to provide a one stop solution. In selected cases, it is also possible to perform bilateral operations and treat more than one vein at a time. There have been no complications such as deep vein thrombosis and patient satisfaction is very high. ClariVein is also very affordable for self-pay patients.

The importance of Follow-up Ultrasound Scans after Varicose Vein procedures

The use of colour Duplex ultrasound scans to diagnose venous conditions and guide modern treatments such as the endovenous laser has been one of the great advances in vascular medicine and surgery.

However, Duplex scans are also an important quality control method and are an essential part of the follow-up process after venous treatments.

The research I undertook as part of my Doctorate of Medicine thesis established ultrasound quality control as an important principle to improve patient outcomes. It is absolutely essential to apply a method to ensure that the result of any treatment has achieved its objective.

Therefore, all my venous patients undergo a repeat colour Duplex ultrasound scan as part of their routine follow-up consultation to ensure that the treatment has been 100% successful. Just relying on physical examination alone can be misleading and the scan can detect sections of vein which may not have completely sealed. Detected early, these veins can often be simply treated in the outpatient clinic. If missed, these veins can be a cause of early recurrent varicose veins which require further surgery to correct them.

NICE guidelines confirm endothermal ablation techniques as the best treatment for varicose veins

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently published its recommendations for the modern treatment of varicose veins based on the best available clinical research. These guidelines confirm that endothermal techniques such as endovenous laser are now the recommended primary techniques for the treatment of varicose veins. Foam sclerotherapy and traditional surgery are reserved for those veins which are not suitable for endothermal techniques – but this will be the minority of patients. The long term use of compression stockings to control the symptoms of varicose veins is no longer advised and this overturns previous advice.

Mr Gaunt says “the latest guidelines from NICE finally confirm what I and other surgeons who specialise in the treatment of varicose veins have been saying for many years that techniques such as the endovenous laser are far superior to other treatments”.

Mr Gaunt has performed over 4000 endovenous laser treatments with approximately 90% performed as local anaesthetic day case procedures with excellent medical and cosmetic results. Research on Mr Gaunt’s patients show that over 72% of patients require no analgsesia at all after leaving hospital after their day case procedure – not even a paracetamol!

The research from NICE did not consider the latest endoluminal technique, Clarivein as part of its assessment as there are not enough research papers published on this technique yet but based on Mr Gaunt’s experience of over 300 cases this is likely to receive a similar endorsement in due course.

Make sorting out those varicose veins or threadveins your New Years resolution

Happy new year everyone. This is the traditional time to take stock and make resolutions for the year ahead. One such resolution may be to finally sort out those varicose veins or threadveins which having been causing discomfort or preventing you from wearing the clothes you want.

Fortunately, there has never been a better time to undergo vein treatment with a host of new minimally invasive methods which can be performed under local anaesthetic as walk-in walk-out procedures.

One such new method is the Clarivein technique. I was one of the first surgeons in the UK invited to evaluate the procedure which was developed in the USA. Over the Christmas break my team were busy writing up the results and submitting an academic paper for publication describing our first 150 Clarivein procedures. The outcomes from this have been very good with no serious complications or treatment failures combined with excellent functional and cosmetic results. In particular, the combination of Clarivein with multiple avulsions has been very successful and because this is performed under local anaesthetic in the outpatient clinic, rather than the operating theatre, this is a particularly cost-effective option for self-funding patients.

Following this with injection microsclerotherapy treatment for threadveins, which often accompany varicose veins, means you can look forward to the summer with confidence.

Best wishes for 2013.

There’s more to veins than vanity

Varicose veins can effect up to 20% of the UK’s adult population. They are unsightly and painful but, worse still, can also lead to serious health problems. Mr Michael Gaunt a Consultant Vascular Surgeon who specialises in the minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and threadveins, looks the options available to sufferers.

“Varicose veins occur when small valves inside the veins stop working properly so that rather than blood flowing smoothly back towards the heart, the blood stagnates within the veins causing aching, tiredness and discomfort,” explains Mr Gaunt.

“The veins are usually blue or dark purple and may also be lumpy or twisted in appearance and while any vein in the body can be affected, they most commonly develop in the legs and feet . This is because standing and walking puts extra pressure on the veins in the lower body.

“Initially, problem veins may not be visible but the symptoms still occur. Patches of blue threadveins may sometimes be the first signs of an underlying problem and eventually, the abnormal veins become swollen, enlarged and varicose.

“In the early stages varicose veins and threadveins may be mainly a cosmetic problem, however, if ignored, the condition can deteriorate and various complications can occur such as leg swelling, pigmentation of the skin around the ankles and ulcers.
“Sometimes veins can burst causing bleeding, or the blood within the veins can clot leading to the painful condition of phlebitis or even deep vein thrombosis. People who use air travel for work or holidays may be at increased risk particular if those flights are long haul.

“Fortunately, modern minimally-invasive treatments can now often be performed under local anaesthetic as a walk-in walk-out procedure, with minimal post-operative pain and almost immediate return to normal activity.

“I have treated over 4,000 patients with the Endovenous laser and Clarivein techniques – both are associated with considerably less pain, bruising and scarring than traditional stripping techniques and both offer very good longterm results.”

FREE 15-minute mini consultations
Mr. Gaunt offers FREE 15-minute mini consultations for patients to visit him and be initially assessed. He will then offer them a diagnosis and discuss potential treatment and steps forward. These no-obligation consultations are offered at the BMI Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital, Spire Norwich Hospital and Cambridge Nuffield Hospital. For more information or to make a booking, contact his private secretary on 01223 305858 or visit www.michaelgaunt.com.

Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital – Lecture on the latest developments in the treatment of varicose veins and thread veins

I was delighted to be invited to lecture on the latest developments in the treatment of varicose veins and thread veins to the nurses and clinical staff of the Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital. Topics included my experience of treating many thousands of patients with established techniques such as the endovenous laser and radiofrequency ablation treatment of varicose veins and the excellent results we have achieved. A description of our successful introduction of the latest Clarivein treatment of varicose veins as a walk-in, walk-out local anaesthetic technique and the role of injection microsclerotherapy and VeinWave for the treatment of thread veins and red veins. My sincere thanks go to the nurses and clinical staff for their excellent feedback.