"So many

people are affected by the pain and unattractiveness of varicose veins,"

said Garnet Craddock, MD, FACS, CWS, who received training in the procedure

late last year. "This procedure is a terrific alternative to traditional

vein stripping."

Closureâ

is performed at Newnan Hospital as an outpatient (day surgery) procedure

and typically takes 45 minutes to an hour. Local or regional anesthesia

is used to numb the treatment area. A thin catheter is then inserted into

the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers radio frequency

(RF) energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut.

Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and increase

blood flow from the legs. Symptoms improve noticeably following the procedure.

The manufacturer reports a 95 percent patient satisfaction rate.

For more information

on the procedure at Newnan Hospital, call 770-254-6078.

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