VenaSeal closes a refluxing vein with a medical adhesive delivered through a thin catheter — without heat. That single difference changes the experience of the procedure: because there is no heat, there is nothing to insulate the surrounding tissue from, so the row of anaesthetic injections along the vein that thermal methods require is not needed. Offered in selected cases by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Kalko in Istanbul, Turkey.

In short: a catheter places small amounts of adhesive along the faulty vein, which is then pressed closed. Local anaesthesia at one puncture point only, walking the same day, and in many cases no compression stockings afterwards. Suitability is decided on a Doppler scan performed standing — not on preference.

How it differs from the heat-based methods

Laser and radiofrequency both work by heating the vein from inside until it seals. That heat has to be kept away from the skin and nearby nerves, which is what the many injections around the vein — tumescent anaesthesia — are for. They also compress the vein onto the fibre so less energy is needed. Adhesive closure skips that step entirely, because there is no heat to contain. This is why patients who have had both describe the glue procedure as the shorter and less uncomfortable of the two. For how the thermal approach works, see laser varicose vein treatment.

How the session goes

Mapping — the source of reflux is identified on a Doppler scan done standing, because reflux depends on gravity and can vanish when you lie down.
Access — local anaesthetic at one point, then a needle puncture and a thin catheter passed into the vein under ultrasound guidance.
Adhesive delivery — small amounts are released at intervals as the catheter is withdrawn, with brief external pressure applied over each point.
Checking — closure is confirmed on ultrasound before finishing.
Afterwards — a simple dressing, walking the same day, and in many cases no compression stocking.

Who it suits — and when something else is preferred

Favours adhesive closure	Favours another method
A vein lying very close to the skin, where heat would be nearer the surface	A vein that is extremely wide or aneurysmally dilated
A vein running close to a nerve, where thermal injury is a concern	A very tortuous vein that a straight catheter cannot be passed along
Patients who do not tolerate the tumescent injections well	A history of allergy or sensitivity relevant to the adhesive
Situations where avoiding compression stockings matters	Active deep vein thrombosis, or a suspicion of it
Where a short recovery is a priority	Pregnancy, active skin infection, or significant arterial disease in the leg

The decision is made from the Doppler map and the examination. A detailed comparison of all the options is in the article on comparing varicose vein treatments.

Two things worth knowing before deciding

The adhesive stays in the body. Unlike heat, which leaves nothing behind, closure here is achieved by a material that remains within the sealed vein. It is well tolerated, but it is a foreign material, and your allergy history is asked about for that reason.
A localised reaction along the treated vein is recognised. Some patients develop redness, tenderness and a firm cord over the vein in the days or weeks afterwards — a hypersensitivity-type response rather than an infection. It usually settles with simple measures, but it should be reported rather than ignored, because it needs distinguishing from a clot.

What to expect afterwards

Walking the same day is expected, not merely permitted — movement lowers the risk of clotting,
Often no compression stockings, which is one of the main practical reasons patients ask for this method,
Bruising and tenderness along the vein are normal and settle over weeks,
A pulling or tight sensation along the closed vein may appear in the first days and eases gradually — this is the body responding to a sealed vein, not a sign of failure,
The cosmetic result takes time, because the closed vein is absorbed gradually over months,
A follow-up Doppler is arranged to confirm the vein has stayed closed and the deep system is unaffected.

Get in touch promptly after the procedure if: the calf becomes painfully swollen in a way that differs from the expected tightness; you develop breathlessness or chest pain; you have fever or shaking chills; redness spreads upward or feels hot; the foot becomes numb or weak. These are not part of normal recovery.

Does it treat everything?

No, and this is worth being clear about. Closing the refluxing trunk removes the source of pressure, but it does not by itself erase the bulging branches already present or the spider veins at the surface. Some of those shrink once the source is closed; others need a separate session of foam sclerotherapy or spider vein treatment, usually afterwards rather than before. Treating the surface first, while the source is still refluxing, is the most common reason varicose veins appear to come straight back.

Can varicose veins return?

Yes, with any method — and it is better said before treatment than afterwards. Recurrence takes three distinct forms: the treated vein reopening, a new network of small vessels forming around the treated segment, or reflux appearing in a different vein that was never affected. The last of these is not a failure of the treatment but the same underlying tendency continuing. What reduces the risk in practice is treating the source rather than the branches alone, attending follow-up, and the lifestyle measures set out under venous insufficiency.

Why Choose Turkey (Istanbul)?

Experienced vascular surgery with open, catheter-based and hybrid techniques in one centre,
Non-invasive assessment first — pulse examination, ankle–brachial index and Doppler before any decision,
English-language correspondence for international patients,
Pre-travel remote review of your reports, then an examination on arrival in Istanbul.

How to Start From Abroad (Remote Consultation)

Send your medical reports and imaging for an initial review before travelling. If you are asking about this method specifically, send a Doppler report with the images and mention any allergy history. The practical sequence — what to send, what can and cannot be decided remotely, and what determines the length of stay — is set out on the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there no injections along the vein with this method?

Because there is no heat to insulate against. Laser and radiofrequency need a layer of fluid around the vein to protect the skin and nerves and to compress the vein onto the fibre. Adhesive closure does not generate heat, so only the single puncture point needs anaesthetising.

Will I have to wear compression stockings?

Often not, which is one of the main practical reasons this method is requested. It depends on your anatomy, whether branches were treated at the same time and what the examination shows, so the instruction is individual rather than automatic.

Is it safe to leave adhesive in the body?

It is designed for this use and is generally well tolerated. It is nonetheless a material that remains in place, which is why your allergy history is asked about beforehand and why a localised reaction over the treated vein is a recognised, reportable event rather than an unexpected one.

How soon can I fly afterwards?

Many patients travel within a few days, but the timing depends on your case and on what else was treated in the same session. Because long immobile flights raise clot risk, agree the timing before you book a return flight rather than afterwards.

Will the bulging veins on my leg disappear?

Not necessarily on their own. Closing the source removes the pressure that created them; some branches shrink, others need a separate injection session afterwards. Spider veins at the surface are usually treated last of all, once the source has been dealt with.

Is glue better than laser?

Neither is better in general; they suit different veins. Adhesive avoids heat and the injections that go with it, which matters for a vein close to the skin or to a nerve. Thermal methods remain well suited to many veins. The choice follows the Doppler map, not a preference stated in advance.

I am travelling from abroad. What should I arrange?

Have the likely method identified before booking, because it determines the length of stay, whether a second session for branches is probable and when it is sensible to fly. Send any previous Doppler report with the images — see the contact page.

References

This content is for information purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation. Diagnosis and treatment require an in-person examination.

VenaSeal Glue (Adhesive) Varicose Vein Treatment in Turkey (Istanbul)