IVY TRAINED VEIN DOCTORS | TOP RATED VEIN CENTER | SPIDER AND VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENT CLINIC
The Vein Specialist
A vein specialist is a doctor that specializes in treating varicose veins and the underlying condition, venous insufficiency. Ideally, your vein doctor should have completed formal training in endovenous procedures during his/her residency and fellowship training. Qualified vein specialists will possess a training background in vascular surgery, interventional radiology or interventional cardiology. A recognition of competency is gained with board-certification in one of these specialties that is readily available to discerning patients. Other specialties including pain management, internal medicine, or family medicine do not hold any formalized training in surgical or minimally-invasive endovascular procedures. Their board-certifications are well deserved, however not in the treatment of varicose veins.
The categories of physicians managing varicose vein and spider vein disease can be divided into 3 categories:
- Vascular Surgeon
- Vein Specialist
- Phlebologist
Vascular Surgeons:
Vascular surgeons possess formalized training backgrounds in the management of vascular disease, both arterial and venous. Vascular surgeons must complete 5 years of general surgery training followed by 2 years in sub-specialty training for vascular medicine. In doing so, vascular surgeons undergo rigorous training in the diagnosis and management of surgical disease including endovascular, minimally invasive techniques. Cardiology and interventional radiology fellowships often work in collaboration with vascular surgery programs to provide in-depth training for trainees. With the completion of the training program, vascular surgery fellows will be tested for ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) board-certification to demonstrate their competency in the management of venous and arterial disease. This includes recognition as a board-certified expert to diagnose and treat varicose vein disease.
Advantages of Vascular Surgeon:
- Board-certified vascular specialists with completion of intensive residency and fellowship training for vascular medicine
- Best-suited to manage both simple and complex vein disease due to breadth of training
- Can provide complete care for both pre and post-procedure management
- Maintain hospital privileges for vascular medicine (Hospital accreditation for vascular medicine is based on board-certifications in ABMS-only recognized specialties)
Need to Consider:
- Every training program has different exposures to endovascular treatments. Varicose vein disease is now managed with minimally-invasive techniques rather than vascular surgery. Be certain that your vascular surgeon treats vein disease with modern, non-surgical techniques when appropriate
Phlebologists:
Phlebologists have varied backgrounds including general surgery, internal medicine, pain management, cardiologists and even vascular surgery. The American Board of Phlebology was only established in 2007 with the goal of setting standards of vein practice but is not ABMS recognized. Phlebologists with this certification do not need to complete any formalized training programs in vascular medicine but can obtain “board-certification” simply by passing a written test. As stated above, vascular training can only be formally obtained during a fellowship in vascular surgery, cardiology or interventional radiology. During these programs, trainees undergo supervised education over several years learning technical competency and safe practices for endovascular procedures. Other residency programs including internal medicine, pain management, and family medicine simply do not provide this level of training as it is outside the scope of their practice. As such, board certification in phlebology or ABVLM (American Board of Vascular and Lymphatic Medicine) does not imply the completion of formal training in vascular medicine. Phlebologists without training in either vascular surgery, cardiology or interventional radiology should not be automatically assumed as vascular specialists. In many instances, the procedural training for phlebologists may be limited to just weekend development courses hosted by industry.
Advantages of Phlebologists
- A limited number of physicians who have also completed formalized training programs in either vascular surgery, interventional radiology or invasive cardiology.
Need to Consider
- Phlebologists should be examined for backgrounds in ABMS recognized specialties such as interventional cardiology or vascular surgery
- A written examination is the only requirement for obtaining ABVLM certification
- Phlebologists with incomplete training are not required to be experts in vascular management
Vein Specialist:
A vein specialist is used by many practicing vein doctors with varied backgrounds similar to phlebologists. Again, it should be emphasized that vein specialists should have ABMS recognized board-certification in one of three specialties: Invasive cardiology, vascular surgery or interventional radiology to demonstrate the highest level of competency in vascular disease management. ABVLM board-certification or alternatively board certification in non-vascular specialties such as internal medicine, family medicine or dermatology do not include supervised training during residency/fellowship for endovascular procedures including its potential complications. And while modern varicose vein treatment no longer requires surgery, it does not imply that a vascular specialist is not recommended.
Advantages of Vein Specialists
- Vein Specialists are ideally ABMS board-certified in either vascular surgery, invasive cardiology or interventional radiology
- Interventional specialties possess unique skills for minimally-invasive techniques learned during rigorous training programs
Who Is The Best Vein Doctor By Specialty?
If you have varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, the best vein doctor to see is a ABMS board-certified specialist with a focus on varicose vein disease. The physician you select should have specialty-specific training in vascular disease.
It’s true that not all vein doctors are vascular surgeons, however considering that vascular disease management requires a significant amount of experience and skill, we recommend you consult only with formally trained vein doctors with board certification in either vascular surgery, interventional radiology or interventional cardiology.
Minimally Invasive Varicose Veins Treatments
The most surprising fact to many patients seeking varicose vein removal is that surgery is not needed. Many patients recall stories about their parents undergoing extensive vein stripping procedures with painful and extended recovery periods. Those days are long gone. Instead, today’s procedures are minimally-invasive and suited for all types of vein conditions.
These minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins include:
- VenaSeal: Like most other vein treatments today, VenaSeal is also catheter-based technology. However, unlike ablation, the catheter is used to inject a medical adhesive that fuses the diseased vein closed. Over time, the vein is reabsorbed by the body.
- Radiofrequency ablation: Catheter-based technology that delivers radiofrequency generated heat to the blood vessel walls. The procedure is done with only small amounts of local anesthetic and can be completed in less than 30 minutes.
- Sclerotherapy: A medicated solution is injected in either liquid or aerated form (foam sclerotherapy). This medication acts as a sclerosant and disrupts the walls of diseased veins causing them to collapse and eventually be absorbed.
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy: This requires the most skill and patience, but still is minimally invasive. Tiny incisions are made over large, protuberant veins so that they can be directly removed. Unlike stripping, these procedures are done within the office and patients do not require any downtime. The best part, any large visible varicose veins are immediately removed leading to dramatic skin improvements.
- Clarivein: Another catheter-based technique with some special uses in certain varicose vein anatomy. In this case, mechanical force and sclerosant are used to eliminate diseased veins.
Why Princeton Vascular Center?
The Princeton Vascular Center offers modern varicose vein treatment only in the hands of the best vein specialists in the country. Our vein doctors can be trusted to have completed formalized vascular training programs and have years of prior experience in treating vein disease. Most importantly, all our doctors have board-certifications in either vascular surgery or cardiovascular disease.
With our multiple locations, you can rest assured that you can find the best vein doctor for your care anywhere in New Jersey. For more information, please schedule your spider vein and varicose vein consultation today.
