Leg vein diseases cause medical and cosmetic problems. Their wide spread nature has boosted the worldwide development of phlebology (the study of veins and related treatment), and this is just as true for Latvia. Varicose veins are one of the most frequent afflictions, something that affects 26% of women and 24% of men. Nowadays, almost each second person of those who are aged between thirty and seventy who live in comfortable conditions in civilised countries around the world has some form of venous disease.
In the last decade, modern and non-invasive technologies (EVLT, RFO, SVS and bioglue for vein closure) have occupied a significant place in the treatment of venous diseases. Although these methods originated in Germany and the United States, in proportion to classic venous surgeries around the world, a large number of low invasive and modern venous surgeries are carried out in Latvia, where the field of phlebology has been driven forwards for the last fifteen years.
In Latvia, Health Centre 4 began treating leg veins in 1999, and the day hospital has been carrying out venous surgery since 2000. Currently, the Baltic Vein Clinic is the largest and most highly state-of-the-art vein treatment clinic in the Baltic countries. It was established to meet to the highest international standards, based on the experiences of other countries and by combining the best of these to create our own Latvian model. This health care facility offers extensive vein diagnostics and treatment using all of the modern methods that are currently in use around the world along with combinations of these methods.
Accurate diagnostics are important when it comes to achieving the expected result, both in terms of choosing the most effective solution and to ensure treatment efficiency. The timely examination and beginning of treatment can prevent the development of a disease, because it is frequently impossible to see the first signs of venous disease with the naked eye, just as it is forms of hidden varicose veins. In Latvia, it is possible to carry out an extensive and accurate duplex ultrasound for blood vessels using the state-of-the-art ‘Premium Class’ US equipment in the form of computed tomographic venography, which is used to evaluate the extension of deep vein thrombosis. Other examination methods may only provide a view of segments of deep veins, but computed tomographic venography provides a view of the entire deep vein system in its entirety.
For the best results, the most appropriate treatment method is selected for each individual patient. The following methods are used in Latvia:
- endoluminal venous laser therapy - EVLT
- endoluminal venous radiofrequency surgery - RFO, EVRF
- endovenous thermal ablation with steam microimpulses - SVS
- endovenous vein closure using bioglue and sclerotherapy.
SVS technology is especially innovative. It is one of the newest and the most progressive endoluminal venous treatment methods, and one which was awarded first place at the European Venous Forum, as well as being the most original and most qualitative method of treatment available. Endovenous vein closure using bioglue is the most modern method of achieving this process. It is not painful and does not affect the surrounding tissue, its use does not require tumenescent anaesthesia or the use of compression stockings, and patients can carry on with their normal lives immediately after the procedure, and this includes flying.
Latvia provides the treatment of cosmetic defects at the highest possible levels of standard. This includes the closure of micro blood vessels on the face and legs (transcutaneous laser therapy), using a Nd/Yag laser, a Diode laser, and a KTP laser, as well as being able to close superficial veins with intensive pulsing light. Thermal coagulation and transcutaneous RF therapy offers the option to close the smallest capillaries. Sclerotherapy uses the foam and liquid technique, as offers the elimination of the effects of skin pigmentation caused by venous insufficiency.
The Baltic Vein Clinic also serves as a training centre for phlebologists from Estonia, Lithuania, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, the United States, and other countries.