In-office vein treatment
Micro-phlebectomy: removing bulging varicose veins
Micro-phlebectomy is a minor procedure performed in the office in which tiny incisions are made over the varicose veins. The veins are then removed using special instruments.
Who Micro-Phlebectomy is for
Micro-phlebectomy is for bulging surface varicose veins that are too large for sclerotherapy to work well. It is often done after the feeding saphenous vein has been closed with Varithena or laser ablation, so the branches can be removed in the same treatment plan. It leaves only pinpoint marks that fade.
Conditions treated: Varicose veins
Every plan starts with an ultrasound
Before any treatment is recommended, we map your leg veins with an in-office ultrasound. It shows which veins are refluxing and which treatment fits. The consultation and ultrasound are usually covered by insurance.
What happens during the visit
The veins are marked while you stand. After local anesthesia, the physician makes tiny nicks in the skin, usually two to three millimeters, and removes the vein segments with a small hook. No stitches are needed. The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how many veins are treated.
After the procedure
A compression bandage and stocking are worn for a short period. You walk out of the office and can resume most normal activities the next day. Bruising is expected and fades over two to three weeks. The tiny incisions heal with little or no visible scarring.
How Micro-Phlebectomy compares
Most patients with varicose veins need one of the vein-closing treatments, sometimes followed by sclerotherapy or micro-phlebectomy for the branches. The ultrasound decides which.
| Treatment | Best for | How it works | Anesthesia | Typical downtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varithena | Varicose veins fed by a saphenous vein that is not working | Ultrasound-guided microfoam closes the vein | Local, if any | Walk out the same day; light activity right away |
| Laser ablation (ELAS) | A refluxing greater saphenous vein | A thin laser fiber seals the vein from the inside | Local | Walk out the same day; compression for a short period |
| Sclerotherapy | Spider veins and smaller varicose veins | A solution injected into the vein makes it fade over weeks | None | None; several sessions may be needed |
| Micro-phlebectomy | Bulging surface veins | Tiny incisions remove the vein segment | Local | Walk out the same day; compression afterward |
Cost and insurance
Micro-phlebectomy is usually covered when it treats symptomatic varicose veins with documented reflux, often as the second step after ablation. We confirm coverage before scheduling and provide a written estimate for anything your plan leaves to you.
You get the number before you commit
Before anything is scheduled, we tell you in writing what your plan covers and what it leaves to you. Nothing goes on the schedule until you have that in hand.
Micro-Phlebectomy questions
Is micro-phlebectomy surgery?
It is a minor office procedure under local anesthesia. There is no hospital stay, no general anesthesia, and no stitches. It replaced the older vein stripping operation.
Will the veins come back?
Removed veins do not return. New varicose veins can develop over the years, which is why follow-up and compression stockings are recommended.
Does insurance cover micro-phlebectomy?
When it is part of a medically necessary treatment plan for symptomatic varicose veins, most insurers cover it after prior authorization.
Where and with whom
Micro-phlebectomy is performed in the office at both locations: with Dr. Thomas Drost in Oak Park (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday) and with Dr. Kristen Hayes in Wilmette on Thursdays. The physician who performs your ultrasound and consultation is the physician who treats you.
Thomas Francis Drost, M.D.
Board Certified Surgeon
Dr. Drost is a board certified surgeon who performs in-office, non-surgical vein treatments at The Vein Care Center.
Kristen Hayes, M.D.
Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician
Dr. Hayes is a board certified emergency medicine physician who supports patient care at The Vein Care Center.
Related treatments
Varithena
Ultrasound-guided foam that closes varicose veins, often in one visit.
Sclerotherapy
Quick injections that fade spider veins and small varicose veins.
Laser Therapy (ELAS)
A thin laser fiber seals the vein that causes most varicose veins.
Ready to take the first step toward healthier legs?
Two offices in Oak Park and Wilmette, serving Evanston, Berwyn, River Forest, Skokie, Glenview, and all of Chicagoland. All procedures are performed in the office without surgery.