MOCA stands for mechanical obstruction and chemical ablation. This particular treatment permanently closes a vein without the need for a large incision.

What Types of Conditions Does MOCA treat?

The treatment is only currently performed on patients who have spider veins. It may be used on small or medium veins. Generally, a more invasive procedure is needed to treat larger veins.

What is Chemical Ablation?

Chemical ablation is a term that describes the use of a chemical injected into a vein to close it. The solution tends to irritate the lining of the vein, which causes it to close. Once the vein closes, it will eventually reabsorb into the body.

MOCA is a painless procedure that requires only short micro-incisions. It damages very little of the area around it, meaning the tissue, nerves and other veins remain without being affected.

Why Should a Patient Choose to Undergo MOCA?

A patient may request MOCA, but it is ultimately the doctor’s final decision about which treatment is best. If the patient is accepted for MOCA, he or she benefits from a procedure that requires no healing time, has very little side effects and is quick to receive. When used in the early stages, the patient’s vein is totally removed, and it can prevent further complications.

What Are the Side Effects?

There’s the possibility the patient may experience bruising around the site, but this risk is much less than other treatments for this condition. It’s possible the patient will have an allergic reaction to the chemical.

What’s the Recovery Like from MOCA?

There really isn’t a recovery after the procedure. The patient is able to go back to work and resume other daily activities directly after the doctor completes the treatment. Because there aren’t large cuts or sutures, the patient won’t even have to clean out the area.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

What Is Ambulatory Phlebectomy?

Ambulatory phlebectomy is an outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia, to remove unsightly and sometimes painful varicose veins. To perform the procedure, Dr. Alfieri inserts a small needle under the skin next to the enlarged vein, making a tiny incision. Through this incision, he then inserts a hook with which he grabs the vein and removes it. Ambulatory phlebectomy not only removes the vein but also decreases the chance of its recurrence better than other removal procedures.

What Exactly Does The Procedure Entail?

The patient starts in a standing position so that Dr. Alfieri can mark the vein or veins that are to be removed with a surgical marker. It is easier to identify veins when the patient is standing. Once the veins are marked, the patient lays down and his or her leg is prepped with an antiseptic solution and local anesthetic. When the treatment area is numbed, Dr. Alfieri makes the tiny incision over the vein, inserts the hook, and removes it. Fluids from the treatment area are absorbed with a pad. The area is then wrapped with a compression bandage, which should remain in place for about two days. Sometimes, patients require a minimally invasive endovenous catheter procedure or PIN stripping procedure in addition to the phlebectomy.

What Does Recovery Entail?

Patients are able to walk and resume their normal daily activities immediately following the procedure. Patients should take it easy the day they get the procedure done and nothing strenuous until their follow up with Dr. Alfieri two days after the procedure.

Questions About Our Services?

If you are having vein-related symptoms but are not sure if you need a consultation or visit, please call us at 302-731-0001 or send us a message. Our staff will be available to answer any of your questions.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

What Is Ambulatory Phlebectomy?

What Exactly Does The Procedure Entail?

What Does Recovery Entail?

Questions About Our Services?

Questions About Our Services?

Contact Us to Schedule an Appointment

Contact Us to Schedule an Appointment