MEDICAL SUPERGLUE

Introduction

Medical superglue is a medical grade version of standard 'superglue' (chemical name: cyanoacrylate), which is used for a number of medical procedures, including embolisation and treatment of varicose veins.

It is one of a number of treatment options for varicose veins and with some patients the best approach is to combine medical superglue treatment with other treatments, such as endovenous therapy, ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and phlebectomy.

It is 98.9% effective*, and as effective as other approaches with a lower risk of complications than either phlebectomy or endovenous therapy.

It is particularly effective in treating straight (rather than twisted) segments of underlying veins with ineffective valves and not a large number of associated varicose veins.

Preoperative Instructions

There are no specific preparations required for the procedure (i.e. no need to fast or stop any medications).

Procedure

The procedure takes around one hour and is conducted under local anaesthetic.

Once the local anaesthetic has been used to numb the skin around the insertion point, ultrasound imaging will be used to map the path of the affected vein. Then a thin plastic tube (a 'catheter') is introduced through a small incision in the skin into the vein.

The position of the catheter is continuously monitored using ultrasound imaging as the medical superglue is slowly injected into the vein. Pressure is applied to the vein, and as the medical superglue solidifies it seals the vein. Once this is complete the catheter is removed and a small dressing is placed over the incision.

It takes a month or two for the body to naturally re-absorb the vein fully after treatment, at which point it is no longer visible under the skin. A noticeable reduction in the treated vein is normally seen around the 4-6 week mark.

Postoperative instructions

After a medical superglue procedure, patients can resume daily activities straightaway, with the exception of strenuous exercise, which should be avoided for about seven days after treatment.

Most patients are not required to wear a compression stocking and there are generally no travel or flight restrictions (unlike with some other types of treatment).

Risks

All medical procedures carry some form of risk. While an extremely safe procedure, medical superglue treatment has a very slight risk of:

Allergic reaction to the medical superglue

Phlebitis

Thicker endometrium

Thrombosis

Pulmonary embolism

Infection