Mechanico-chemical ablation is an alterative method for closing off a vein causing chronic venous reflux, restless leg syndrome, itching and pain. It is performed in a similar manner to RF thermal ablation. A special rotating catheter is advanced into the problem vein. After the catheter is positioned properly in the vein to be treated, a trigger is pulled which causes the catheter to spin, irritating the inner lining of the vein. At the same time a sclerosing solution is injected through the same catheter. The combination of mechanical damage from the catheter and chemical damage to the vein from the sclerotherapy medicine works better than either alone. If you are interested in learning more about Mechanico-Chemical Ablation, or if you wish to schedule a consultation and learn whether you are a candidate for treatment, please call (231) 936-2068 today! Our practice has an office in both Traverse City and Cadillac.

This is a type of non-thermal, non-tumescent vein ablation and is an effective alternative to ablation using heat energy such as in laser or radiofrequency ablation. Mechanico-chemical ablation can be used in patients where a thermal procedure is not feasible due to the vein’s proximity to a nerve. The main advantage of Mechanico-Chemical Ablation is that it negates the need for multiple needle pokes as there is no need for tumescent anesthesia. The only local anesthetic is in one location where the catheter is introduced into the vein. Patients typically just feel a vibrating sensation.

Clarivein or MOCA is a good choice for patients who cannot tolerate needles well, and who don’t have extremely large veins or abundant large branching varicosities coming off of the treated vein. Typically, only one leg is treated at a time as we want to limit how much of the sclerosing medicine is used at a single session

Our patients find this method of ablation to be more comfortable because it doesn’t rely on heat energy to irritate the vein wall. It doesn’t require anesthesia and patients can return to normal activities immediately.

This method of ablating a malfunctioning vein is very safe because it doesn’t use heat as its method of creating irritation in the vein. This eliminates many potential side effects.