Perforator Vein Ablation

Perforator veins are short connections between deep and surface veins in the legs. For patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) due to poorly functioning perforator veins, blood flow can pool up in the legs, increasing pressure in the leg veins and leading to symptoms such as swelling, ulcers, pain, night cramps, fatigue, and leaky blood vessels (hemorrhaging).

For poorly functioning perforating veins, there are several minimally invasive treatment options that may be used, either as a single treatment or in conjunction with other vein procedures. With thermal perforator ablation, heat energy is used to close the perforator veins. With foam sclerotherapy, a foam that resembles shaving cream is injected into damaged perforator veins to close them. An ultrasound machine is used to guide the injection, so the procedure is known as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). Both options are effective at closing the damaged perforator veins, thereby improving the overall blood flow in the leg veins.

Perforator vein procedures are considered minimally invasive, as no incisions (cuts) are required. They are performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia, and most patients experience little to no pain. Improvement of symptoms is often felt immediately, and results tend to last a long time. Compression stockings will need to be worn for a couple of weeks after treatment, and for severe vein problems, compression may be needed indefinitely (even if perforator vein procedures are not performed).

Patients seeking treatment for simple to complex vein problems can count on the experts at the UAB Vein Clinic for comprehensive evaluations, specialized treatment, and compassionate care for their veins. As central Alabama’s premier vein center, the UAB Vein Clinic provides the most advanced cosmetic, minimally invasive, and surgical treatments, performed by vascular specialists and medical experts who are specially trained in vein disease.

Located at UAB Hospital-Highlands, the clinic provides outpatient care, while more intensive treatments and vascular surgeries are performed at UAB Hospital. When you choose UAB Medicine to care for your vein condition, you gain immediate access to experienced providers who deliver the latest and most effective treatment options.

Vein Clinic
UAB Hospital-Highlands
1201 11th Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama

Care Providers

Cora Passman, CRNP Endovascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery Marc Passman, MD Endovascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery

Resources

• Patient Forms & Information
• Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy
• YouTube: PBS – National Medical Reporter Video – Compression
• American Venous Forum
• Society for Vascular Surgery
• Healthy Veins
• Vascular Cures

Related Specialities

• Vascular Disease
• Vein Clinic