Lisa Kodama of Island Snow shares a few words with Krater 96 Morning Show Hosts, Chris and Sherry about treating her varicose veins with Dr. Yamada and Pacific Endovascular:

“My legs visually look a lot better, not achy or sore . . . It was easy, fast and I was able to go back to work the next day . . . I would absolutely recommend Dr. Yamada and Pacific Endovascular.”

Listen to Lisa Kodama's Testimonial

Many people with varicose veins constantly try to hide their legs and may feel embarrassed to wear swimsuits at the beach. Twisted, enlarged veins are especially problematic for people living here in Hawaii, where the weather is often warm and beaches are everywhere. In addition to being unsightly, varicose veins can also be painful. They may cause aching, burning, heaviness, and swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs.

Varicose veins appear when valves in the veins fail to function properly, causing blood to pool and veins to dilate. Two treatment options for these enlarged veins are sclerotherapy and endovenous laser ablation. Pacific Endovascular offers both varicose vein treatments.
Sclerotherapy

This varicose vein treatment involves injecting a solution into a vein to damage and scar its inside lining, causing it to close. Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure that takes only five to 30 minutes, depending on the size and number of the veins being treated. After receiving sclerotherapy at our Hawaii practice, patients will need to wear elastic bandages, called compression stockings, around the treated area. Patients may be asked to wear these stockings for several days or weeks to maintain pressure on the legs and prevent blood from pooling. Following sclerotherapy, Hawaii residents may return to their normal activities immediately, though it is recommended that they avoid strenuous exercise for a few days.
Sclerotherapy
Before & After Photo

Sclerotherapy
Before & After Photo

Endovenous Laser Ablation

Endovenous laser ablation is a 45-minute outpatient procedure that requires only local anesthesia. To perform this varicose vein treatment, a Radiologist at our Hawaii center uses ultrasound to help determine the best treatment pathway. He or she places a thin catheter inside the vein and inserts a fiber optic laser through the catheter. The Radiologist then releases laser energy, which applies heat to the vein walls, causing the vein to collapse. Patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Following endovenous laser ablation, patients can resume normal activity almost immediately. This varicose vein treatment eliminates 95 percent of pain and fatigue caused by varicose veins.
Endovenous Laser Ablation
Before & After Photo

Endovenous Laser Ablation
Before & After Photo


Dr. Clayton Yamada is our Director. He specializes in Interventional Radiology. Dr. Yamada completed his Radiology residency and received additional training in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard University. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Yamada obtained focused training in the treatment of Primary and Chronic Venous Insufficiency under Dr. John Bergan, who is one of the world's leading authorities on the diagnosis and treatment of vein problems.

Dr. Donald Blair specializes in Interventional Radiology. He is the newest member of our group. He completed his Radiology residency at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology the and then received additional training in Angiography and Interventional Radiology at the University of California at San Diego. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.

Dr. John D. Chan specializes in Interventional Radiology. He completed his Radiology residency at the University of Texas. Dr. Chan then received further training in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the University of Texas, MD Anderson, St. Luke's Episcopal, and Texas Heart. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.

Dr. Ryan Matsuo specializes in Interventional Radiology. Dr. Matsuo completed his Radiology residency at the University of Washington and then received additional training in Angiography and Interventional Radiology at the University of Washington. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.

Gladies Ng, is the Pacific Endovascular Hawaii Clinic Coordinator.

Elizabeth Evans, APRN is the Nurse Practitioner at the Pacific Endovascular Hawaii clinic.


Q. What are varicose veins?
A. Veins with valves that have lost their effectiveness become elongated, rope-like, bulged, and thickened. Varicose veins result from the increased pressure of blood flowing backward and then pooling in the lower veins as a result of weakened vein walls and defective valves.

Q. What are spider veins?
A. Spider veins are tiny blood vessels that appear on the body, particularly on the legs, and occasionally on the face or elsewhere. Spider veins may occur in association with varicose veins.

Q. What are the symptoms?
A. Symptoms caused by vein disease include aching pain, leg heaviness and tiredness, night cramps, itching, and swelling. Many symptoms worsen as the day goes on. In severe cases, chronic vein disease can cause darkening of the skin and wounds that may be very difficult to treat. Other people may have very little or no symptoms.

Read more questions and answers here.




The Queen's Physicians Office Building I
1380 Lusitana Street, Suite 512
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Phone: (808)748-4488
Fax: (808)748-4799
E-mail: cyamada@rahawaii.com
Website: PacificEndovascular.com

Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Click Here for Directions & Map