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Simpler vein operation available New varicose vein surgery offered
(about 7 hours later)
A new, simpler operation to remove varicose veins which allows the patient to leave hospital the same day has become available in parts of Wales.A new, simpler operation to remove varicose veins which allows the patient to leave hospital the same day has become available in parts of Wales.
Traditional operations involve removing or stripping a vein, which requires a stay in hospital and can be painful.Traditional operations involve removing or stripping a vein, which requires a stay in hospital and can be painful.
The new procedure uses a catheter and radio waves within the vein to shut it down and redirect the blood flow.The new procedure uses a catheter and radio waves within the vein to shut it down and redirect the blood flow.
The procedure is available at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, Denbighshire.The procedure is available at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, Denbighshire.
Patients only need a local anaesthetic for the operation, which involves a small cut in the leg for the catheter to be put in and just a few minutes of treatment.Patients only need a local anaesthetic for the operation, which involves a small cut in the leg for the catheter to be put in and just a few minutes of treatment.
Teresa Raikes said she only felt a bit of stinging and pressure during surgeryTeresa Raikes said she only felt a bit of stinging and pressure during surgery
Teresa Raikes, who suffered with painful varicose veins for years, was one of the first patients to have the procedure done at the Royal Gwent Hospital.Teresa Raikes, who suffered with painful varicose veins for years, was one of the first patients to have the procedure done at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
She said: "My leg aches a lot and my veins are unsightly so I either have to wear trousers or dark tights, but I plucked up the courage to have them done.She said: "My leg aches a lot and my veins are unsightly so I either have to wear trousers or dark tights, but I plucked up the courage to have them done.
"It was a tiny bit uncomfortable but not as bad as I thought. It was mostly stinging and a little bit of pressure.""It was a tiny bit uncomfortable but not as bad as I thought. It was mostly stinging and a little bit of pressure."
Consultant vascular surgeon David McLain explained how all sides benefited from the new operation.Consultant vascular surgeon David McLain explained how all sides benefited from the new operation.
"From traditional surgery, that lady would have been out of action for two to three weeks."From traditional surgery, that lady would have been out of action for two to three weeks.
"After this operation, she'll be back to normal by later today, certainly by tomorrow," he said."After this operation, she'll be back to normal by later today, certainly by tomorrow," he said.
SurgeonSurgeon
"We have done this in a fairly simple treatment room under local anaesthetic. We've been able to avoid using lots of other staff and lots of other equipment, which is expensive."We have done this in a fairly simple treatment room under local anaesthetic. We've been able to avoid using lots of other staff and lots of other equipment, which is expensive.
"That means we have freed up capacity for operating theatres which can now help the waiting list for other patients.""That means we have freed up capacity for operating theatres which can now help the waiting list for other patients."
The procedure, called the VNUS closure, was pioneered by a private company and costs just over £600 per patient.The procedure, called the VNUS closure, was pioneered by a private company and costs just over £600 per patient.
At present it is only available in Newport and St Asaph but according to surgeon Ahmed Shandell, it will soon be offered across Wales.At present it is only available in Newport and St Asaph but according to surgeon Ahmed Shandell, it will soon be offered across Wales.
He said: "We have set up a training centre to train all the surgeons in Wales so this can be rolled out training-wise over the next six months and should be available in all hospitals in 12 months."He said: "We have set up a training centre to train all the surgeons in Wales so this can be rolled out training-wise over the next six months and should be available in all hospitals in 12 months."