New technique treats varicose veins
Sacred Heart Hospital in P e n s a c o l a and Dr. F e r n a n d o Kafie, a board-certified vascular surgeon, now offer a new, m i n i m a l l y invasive surgical treatment for varicose veins and leg ulcers.

Kafie

Varicose veins are caused by defective valves in the veins that allow blood to flow backwards in the leg, causing bulging of the veins. The increased pressure in the vein and surrounding skin makes the legs and feet more susceptible to the development of a nonhealing wound or venous ulcer, which can be painful and difficult to heal. While varicose veins occur in both sexes, they are more prevalent in women, especially after pregnancy.

The new procedure, known as the SEPS (Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery), is an outpatient surgical procedure that can help heal leg ulcers and improve a patient's varicose veins. During this one hour procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the lower calf and then inserts and inflates a balloon under the skin to create space for an endoscopic instrument to be maneuvered.

While watching the instrument on a TV monitor, the surgeon then uses a long, thin stapling device to staple the problematic veins and prevent the backflow of blood towards the skin.

Benefits to the patient include no hospital stay, fewer complications, quicker recovery times and significantly less pain than traditional surgeries for varicose veins and leg ulcers.

Leg and foot ulcers are common in patients who have a history of leg swelling, varicose veins, or a history of blood clots in the legs.

For more information on varicose veins and the SEPS procedure, please call Sacred Heart at (850) 416-7000 or visit our website at www.sacredheart. org.