Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

What are NICE Guidelines for Varicose Veins?

When searching for a private vein clinic in the UK you may have heard of the term ‘NICE Recommended’ or ‘NICE Gold Standard’. These statements sound very positive and OnabotulinumtoxinAAbobotulinumtoxinAIncobotulinumtoxinAPrabotulinumtoxinALetibotulinumtoxinARimabotulinumtoxinBHyaluronic Acid FillersCalcium Hydroxylapatite FillersPoly-L-lactic Acid FillersPolymethylmethacrylate FillersAutologous Fat GraftingForehead Lines TreatmentGlabellar Frown Lines TreatmentCrow’s Feet TreatmentBunny Lines TreatmentChemical Brow LiftLip FlipGummy Smile CorrectionMasseter ReductionJaw SlimmingDimpled Chin SmoothingCobblestone Chin SmoothingNefertiti Neck LiftMicro-BotoxMesotoxHyperhidrosis TreatmentChronic Migraine ReliefBruxism TreatmentTMJ TreatmentCervical Dystonia TreatmentNeck Spasm TreatmentBlepharospasm TreatmentLip AugmentationLip ContouringCheekbone EnhancementTear Trough FillersNasolabial Fold SofteningMarionette Line FillersLiquid RhinoplastyNon-Surgical Nose JobJawline ContouringJawline DefinitionChin AugmentationTemple VolumisingHand RejuvenationAcne Scar Subcision Filling important but what actually is NICE and what are the NICE Guidelines for Varicose Vein treatment?

What is NICE?

NICE stands for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. is a national body in the UK, and they have a board of medical experts who provide national evidence-based guidance and pathways with the aim of improving health and social care. NICE publishes guidance, advice, quality standards and pathways for a wide range of conditions and diseases varicose veins.

What are the NICE Guidelines for Varicose Vein Treatment?

The NICE clinical guidelines for were originally published in 2013 and are based on published evidence which means they do not cover newer cutting-edge varicose vein treatments that we offer like VenaSeal.

The key priorities for implementation to manage varicose vein symptoms are:

The NICE guidelines have a specific criteria for when patients need to have their veins treated.

The NICE Referral guidelines are:

NICE describes a vascular service as a team of healthcare professionals who have training and experience in and treating varicose veins.’ At The Private Clinic we have an expert team of consultant vascular surgeons and knowledgeable specialist nurses supported by experienced clinic managers and patient co-ordinators to provide our patients with the best possible care across all of our clinic locations.

Patients with suspected varicose veins should be assessed using a to diagnose varicose veins. The scan enables the consultant Vascular Surgeon to locate any damaged valves that might be causing the varicose veins. the vascular service team should discuss the and the possible side effects.

NICE guidelines state that non-surgical treatments should be offered before any type of invasive surgery such as vein stripping which is not recommended.

Endothermal ablation, also know as or are the gold standard varicose vein treatments as recommended by NICE. The treatment applies heat to the inside of the vein which causes it to close.

If the patient is not suitable for EVLA treatment, then the NICE guidelines recommends offering treatment which involves injecting the vein with a sclerosant solution mixed with air to produce a foam. When the foam is into the vein it damages the vein causing it to close.

The next stage according to NICE guidelines would be surgical removal, however at The Private Clinic we still have two additional non-invasive treatments that we believe deliver great results

In the majority of cases, one or a combination of the treatments mentioned above will be suitable for all patients and will provide them with significant relief from pain and symptoms associated with varicose veins. We do not agree that anyone would a more invasive vein stripping procedure which is why we do not offer this treatment at any of our vein clinics.

Another point that the NICE vein guidelines discuss is the use of . The guidelines are very clear in stating that compression stockings should not be used as a treatment for varicose veins unless the patient is unsuitable or has refused .

At The Private Clinic, we have never prescribed compression stockings as a way of treating veins but have instead used them to help aid patients’ recovery post-surgery.

Mr Constantinos Kyriakides Responds to NICE Recommendations for Varicose Vein Treatment

“It’s unsurprising that NICE has approved minimally invasive laser and other heat ablation techniques as the preferred method for the treatment of varicose veins, and stated that surgical techniques should be the last option. For modern vascular surgeons, heat ablation techniques such as or have been the preferred option of treatment for a number of years.

The development and delivery of minimally invasive laser ablation techniques is something that I have played my part in promoting and refining for over 10+ years. I have seen first-hand just how patients respond to treatment. Having also performed conventional surgical procedures before this, I am, in contrast, well aware of the pitfalls of the old methods.

Conventional stripping methods have been on the decline certainly over the last 5 years for a variety of reasons. Firstly, laser ablation techniques are far less invasive for the patient and can be delivered under local anaesthetic. This removes the requirement for the patient to undergo a hospital admission or even be treated in a hospital. Also, the risks associated with minimally invasive techniques are significantly lower. Conventional stripping methods, on the other hand, have been found to cause bleeding, infections, vascular injuries, deep vein thrombosis and nerve injuries which are significantly higher than with laser ablation techniques.

There is also now a greater volume of evidence to support the longer-term benefits of laser ablation techniques and not only the short-term benefits and quicker recovery. The risk of recurrent varicose veins is much smaller with EVLA compared to conventional striping of veins.

Through the delivery of techniques such as EVLA and RFA, we have essentially been able to convert what was once a fairly invasive hospital procedure into one which can be carried out in the office. For the patient, this makes the entire treatment process more accessible, and less daunting as well as it being a more effective treatment.

Some vascular practitioners who continue to offer only conventional surgical techniques for the removal of varicose veins may argue that laser ablation techniques are not suitable for everyone. Of course, there will always be patients who do not respond to a specific treatment, but to put this into context, I have personally treated over 3,500 patients with EVLA in the last 10 or so years and in this time only one patient has not responded to treatment. It is very unusual that patients will be found unsuitable for EVLA treatment, and so there is little weight behind any argument to suggest that surgery is more suitable for any significant number of patients.”

Varicose Vein Removal at The Private Clinic

At The Private Clinic, we have been offering the most advanced, minimally invasive vein treatments for over 40 years, and work with highly experienced vascular .

The Private Clinic has varicose vein clinics across the UK including:

To find out more or to book a veins consultation with our experts call or visit our  on our website.

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About The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic is a multi award medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in advanced minimally invasive non surgical treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with the and we are regulated by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in . Last review March 10th 2023.

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TPC Group Limited trading as The Private Clinic Harley Street London, which is an Appointed of Chrysalis Finance Limited. TPC Group Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. Chrysalis Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct for credit broking and lending.

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