Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Newnan Hospital debuts new procedure

Newnan Hospital announced recently that it will offer a new treatment for varicose veins. Newnan Hospital is one of a few facilities in Georgia that offers the new, minimally invasive, Closureâ procedure.

This is a treatment for the condition known as superficial venous reflux, which causes pain, swelling and varicose veins in the legs. This common condition develops when valves that usually keep blood flowing out of the legs become damaged or diseased. The only solution is to re-route the blood flow, previously accomplished by removing, or "stripping," the vein, which resulted in scarring.

"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.