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New varicose vein removal procedure offered at Deer River HealthCare Center Innovative treatment has fewer scars and a faster recoveryDeer River HealthCare Center (DRHC) is now offering a new varicose vein removal procedure called TriVex. This new technique offers minimally invasive surgery, fewer scars than current surgical treatments and quicker recovery time. The TriVex System makes varicose vein removal more effective and less traumatic for the 24 million Americans suffering from them, by reducing the number of incisions required to perform the procedure, which not only reduces the pain associated with varicose vein removal, but also reduces the potential for post-operative infection. Local surgeon, Daniel J. Margo, M.D., is offering TriVex at DRHC, the only hospital in Itasca County offering this minimally invasive procedure. "I heard about the TriVex System in 2001 and knew that it was essential to bring it to Itasca County," said Margo. "Many patients resist necessary treatment for varicose veins because they fear the pain and recuperative time involved with surgery. What I have learned, allows me to offer patients a minimally invasive treatment that lets them walk out of the hospital the same day with fewer, smaller scars and to be virtually pain free within a few weeks." "Deer River HealthCare Center is committed to providing area residents with new minimally invasive surgical solutions," said Jeffry Stampohar, CEO Deer River HealthCare Center. "We are one of the first to offer this new technique, another example of our continuing commitment to providing the highest quality health care." The traditional procedure for removing varicose veins involves threading a wire through the vein down the leg, attaching a hook at the opposite and then stripping out the vein. This method leaves behind tiny pieces of vein that also must be removed. More incisions are then required to accomplish the removal. The new procedure, called Transilluminated Powered Phlebotomy, uses technology that's light years ahead of the old method. One instrument literally lights up the area under the skin so the vein is clearly visible. This allows the surgeon to quickly and accurately target and remove the vein and then visually confirm its complete extraction. "People think of varicose vein removal as cosmetic, but that's not true," said Margo. "There are real symptoms, and these veins can be very painful making people miserable." Approximately 25 percent of women and 15 percent of men in the United States have varicose veins. The condition is usually the result of problems with valves within the veins of the leg. When one or more of the valves fails to close properly, the veins conduct blood back into the leg instead of up to the heart. As blood accumulates, abnormal pressures dilate the superficial vein system, causing the veins to bulge and then to become visible and painful. While patients often try to ignore varicose veins, treatment is important to prevent aching pain, phlebitis, and problems such as ulcerations on the skin. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to more serious complications. Margo, age 43, attended training in the TriVex procedure through a physician's educational course offered by Smith and Nephew Endoscopy. He has also performed several of these procedures with Dr. Paul Severson and Dr. Timothy LeMieur, surgeons with the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery. And he received training from Gregory Spitz, M.D., F.A.C.S., a leading general surgeon and the inventor of the surgical technique used with the TriVex System. "I believe that it is essential to reduce the pain and trauma a patient experiences from surgery whenever possible," said Margo. "I had read about Dr. Spitz and his commitment to minimally invasive procedures, I knew I had to meet him. I called him and he invited me to assist him at Rush-Copley Medical Center near Chicago. We did four vein cases together and it was great to work side by side with the surgeon who invented this new technique." As the innovator of the surgical technique used with TriVex, Spitz teaches varicose vein removal with the TriVex System to surgeons throughout the United States. He also specializes in advanced laparoscopy and minimally invasive hernia repair. In addition to TriVex, Margo also performs LAP BAND, a minimally invasive surgical treatment for obesity, and laparoscopic fundoplication, a minimally invasive treatment for acid reflux. All three surgical procedures are offered at Deer River HealthCare Center. See your doctor for a referral or call DRHC directly at 246-2900 for more information.
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