Avulsion phlebectomy, also known as hook phlebectomy, ambulatory phlebectomy or small incision avulsion, is a surgical procedure performed alone or together with vein stripping. During avulsion phlebectomy, the surgeon makes a series of tiny incisions in the leg to remove varicose veins with a hook.

NYU vascular surgeons have found the avulsion phlebectomy procedure highly effective in treating varicose veins.

Historically, hook phlebectomy has been performed as a blind procedure involving multiple incisions, extended surgery time, and often repeat surgeries. To address these disadvantages, vascular surgeons at NYU implemented the Trivex© System, a type of "liposuction" for certain varicose veins.

The Trivex© transilluminated phlebectomy technique increases surgeons’ ability to visualize the varicose vein removal. During the Trivex© procedure, the surgeon:

1. targets the vein with an irrigated illuminator device (light passes through the skin)
2. ablates (destroys) the vein with a powered resector
3. visually confirms the vein’s removal

Benefits of Trivex© surgery include less pain and trauma, shorter surgery time, 50–60% fewer incisions, less anesthesia, and less chance of post-operative infection than traditionally performed avulsion phlebectomy.

More information about varicose vein treatment is available on the Society for Vascular Surgery website.

Vascular Surgery