Covidien, a leading global healthcare products company, has announced the launch of their latest globally renowned minimally invasive medical technology to treat painful varicose veins in India - VNUS closure procedure. The procedure offers patients fewer side effects and a faster recovery when compared to certain alternative treatments.

The VNUS closure procedure is a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins and their underlying cause, venous reflux, with little or no pain. It requires a small incision at the insertion site and the vein is sealed with radio frequency heat.

Dr Sriram Narayanan, consultant vascular surgeon, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, said, “Varicose veins are a common problem in India and are on the rise due to less active lifestyles. Minimally invasive surgery, such as the VNUS closure procedure, offers a fast, safe and effective way of treating varicose veins. It combines the speed of laser treatments with the favourable treatment profile of radio frequency heat. Not only have we seen patients benefit from a better cosmetic outcome, which includes minimal bruising, but they can also typically resume normal activities within one day.”

Dr Rajiv Parakh, chairman, Division of Peripheral Vascular & Endovascular Sciences, Medanta - The Medicity, said: “Patient care is our highest priority.  Procedures such as the VNUS closure are instrumental in helping us fulfill our goal of offering patients the latest advancements in medical technology. We are proud to offer a new kind of surgery that continues to transform the minimally invasive arena, resulting in even better experiences for patients.”

Varicose veins are most often swollen, protruding veins that occur in the legs, ankles and feet. Venous reflux disease is the underlying cause of varicose veins, and develops when the valves that keep blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart become damaged or diseased. This may cause varicose veins as well as pain, swollen limbs and leg heaviness.

Numerous factors can increase the risk for developing varicose veins, including family history, age, gender, obesity, multiple pregnancies or long periods of standing.

In a randomized clinical trial, radio frequency ablation, used in the VNUS closure procedure, was proven to be as effective as vein stripping but with fewer side effects and faster recovery. Vein stripping has been the traditional treatment for venous reflux disease and is an open surgical procedure that requires multiple incisions and the diseased vein to be pulled out of the leg.

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence.