About Venefit™ - Radio Frequency Ablation
The circulatory system is made up of both veins and arteries. Arteries delivers fresh oxygen rich blood from the heart to all tissues and veins then collect the oxygen-depleted blood again and transport it back to the heart.
The heart will pump blood through the arteries, but not all the way through the veins.
In the lower limbs, blood requires a different transport system to return it, against gravity, back to the heart. This transport system is made up of a pump again, the “calf pump” and one way valves within the veins.
It is for this reason that walking is a great way to keep your legs healthy, since the calf pump is activated all the time.
Broken one-way valves in the legs will cause blood to flow back through the vein and pool in the lower legs, this is known as venous reflux, and often presents as varicose veins. Varicose veins are large blue tortuous vessels that buldge from the surface of the skin.
VENEFIT™ Procedure
What is endovenous radio frequency ablation?
The Venefit™ procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) in which a vein specialist inserts a ClosureFast™ Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Catheter to collapse and close enlarged leg veins using heat. After the vein is sealed shut, blood then naturally re-routes to healthy veins.
How does it work?
The Venefit™ procedure is performed in an office operating room under local anesthesia, minimal preparation by the patient is required. It truly is a walk-in walk-out procedure that takes 20-40 minutes to perform. There is no need for hospitalisation or a general anasthetic - in fact using general anasthetic to perform the Venefit™ procedure adds the risk of an unnecessary general anaesthetic and extra cost.
To perform the Venefit™ procedure, Dr Blignaut maps out the leg veins to be treated prior to surgery using a duplex ultrasound. During the procedure, a small needle is inserted just below the knee. (This needle is the same size as a regular drip in the arm). This needle is replaced by a plastic cannula that allows for the passage of the Venefit™ catheter into the vein. A dilute mixture of saline and local anaesthetic is injected around the vein, this is known as tumescent anaesthesia. Once complete, the catheter is activated and a precise amount of heat energy is delivered to the vein wall. The collagen in the vein wall shrinks, as the ablation proceeds, leaving a closed and sealed vein. Upon completion, the catheter is removed from the leg and a layered bandage applied. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure and no pain afterwards. For anxious or needle phobic patients we use a mild intravenous sedative prior or during the procedure. Even the most phobic patient can be comfortably treated with sedation. Patients leave the room once the procedure is complete. If no sedation was used, they may drive themselves home.
The applied bandage is removed 24h later. You will be encouraged to walk everyday, but to refrain from strenuous activity for at least a week. Most patients who undergo radiofrequency ablation of their varicose veins typically resume normal activities within a day or two.
Is Radio frequency ablation right for me?
Endovenous thermal ablation procedures like Venefit™ has replaced the old stripping surgery. Vein stripping surgeries date back to 1905, and has been long overdue for a complete overhaul. Vein stripping surgery is a traumatic experience for both the patient and surgeon. Clinical outcomes after surgery is often poor with a recurrence rate as high as 60%. Dr Blignaut does not offer vein stripping surgery to his patients, as this barbaric procedure should be religated to the history books.
Patients with superficial vein reflux, as demonstrated on a duplex scan, are ideal candidates for this procedure. Patients with deep vein reflux, usually due to an old DVT are often not candidates for this procedure. The only way to determine if you are a candidate to have your veins treated by radio frequency ablation, is to have a duplex scan done by a vein specialist.
The first radio frequency procedure was performed in 1999, and since then 10 million more has followed. It is currently the standard of care in treating varicose veins.
Pricing and Medical Schemes
The Venefit™ Endovenous thermal ablation procedure is funded by most medical schemes in part or full, if performed by a surgeon. Medical aids like Discovery funds the procedure from your in-hospital benefit. This means that if you only have a hospital plan, the procedure is still funded. Other schemes that fund the procedure in part/full are Momentum, Medscheme, GEMS, Fedhealth, Camaf, Bonitas, Profmed, Bankmed.
Medical Schemes that do not fund the RFA procedure for varicose veins include MSO, and Medshield. Keyhealth and Resolution will make a payment towards the cost. Bestmed as of 2018 offers funding on a trial basis.
Please note this feedback from Medical Schemes : "Radio Frequency Alation of Varicose Veins (VNUS Procedure) Benefits will be paid for an endoluminal radiofrequency ablation procedure(incl. disposables and duplex doppler) when performed in the rooms by a vascular or general surgeon. No benefits for procedure if done in hospital."
The shortfall amount, as estimated, based on your medical aid and option is payable on the day of your procedure. Where no authorisation is obtained prior to the procedure, you will be required to pay in full and claim from your medical aid. If you are not on a medical aid, then we will provide you with a detailed quote. For medical procedure finance, you might want to consider approaching fhf.co.za or incred.co.za.
For more specific information on medical schemes and pricing, please click here.