Vascular Surgeon
Dr Jerry Chen
Vascular Surgeon
Dr Jerry Chen is a Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia. He completed his training in his Vascular Surgery at the UBC in 1997. He further sub-specialized and did an Endovascular Fellowships at Harbor, UCLA, University of Hong Kong Queen Mary Hospital, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr Chen is former president for the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery as well as the Pacific Northwest Vascular Society. He is former Division Head for the Vascular Surgery Program at UBC and Vancouver General Hospital. He served for many years as an examiner for certifying examination for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr Chen is a scholar and a research scientist with many publications on the treatment of arterial and venous diseases. He has more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of Vascular Surgery including advanced minimal invasive and open techniques.
At PEH, Dr Chen performs all assessments and treatments himself to ensure his clients are fully informed and well looked after. In his spare time, Dr. Chen enjoys music, theater, pickleball, cycling, and spending time with his family.
Treatments and Surgeries
Varicose Veins & Spider Veins
WHAT IS VARICOSE VEINS?
Varicose veins are worm-like curvy veins in the leg that are typically visible and palpable under the skin. It is a benign condition that affects 30% of the population. Some patients with varicose veins have no symptoms, but many patients will experience symptoms that include heavy tired legs, leg ache, leg swelling, itchiness, rash or eczema, and leg cramps. In the worst scenario, bleeding and ulceration of the skin can occur.
WHAT TREATMENTS OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VARICOSE VEINS?
There are different types of treatments available for varicose vein patients depending on their anatomy and severity of the varicose veins and the patients’ treatments goals. The best way to determine the type of treatment you need is to have your vein examined using ultrasound by an experienced vascular specialist.
SIMPLE “DO IT YOURSELF” TREATMENTS
Exercise, weight loss and frequent leg elevations for >20 minutes (with ankles propped up on cushions higher than the heart) can help to improve symptoms of varicose veins. One can also buy compression stockings (20-30mmHg) and wear them during the day to squeeze the veins and support them.
SCLEROTHERAPY
This treatment involves injection of a medication that causes the veins to collapse and dry up. The vein shrivels and over time completely disappears. Sclerotherapy works in about 70-80% of the time and sometimes require repeat treatments. VEIN SURGERY Open surgery with complete removal (stripping) of veins under general anesthesia is sometime the best treatment for complex varicose veins. Simple veins that are localized can be managed with minor surgery under local anesthetic with great results.
RADIO FREQUENCY ABLATION (RFA)
This is a minimal invasive method of treating varicose veins that stem from large veins called the saphenous venous system. The RFA is very effective substitute for vein stripping surgery that shortens the recovery time and minimize scarring compare with surgery.
VENASEAL ABLATION
This is another minimal invasive ablation technique for treating abnormal saphenous vein system that works very similar to RFA with equal efficacy. Venaseal used medical grade superglue to close the veins. This method has the advantage of been least painful and have a fast return to work rate.
ARE TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS COVERED BY BC MEDICAL SERVICE PLAN (MSP)?
MSP covers treatment of severe varicose veins that cause pain enough to hindering walking Venous complications such as bleeding, blood clots or skin eczema and ulceration. Vein treatment for cosmetic concern are not covered by the MSP. RFA and Venaseal procedures are not covered by the MSP.
WHAT ARE SPIDER VEINS?
Spider veins are tiny clusters of pink, blue or purple veins that appears just under the skin. These veins can cause mild symptoms but are mostly treated for their cosmetic appearance. Sometimes oral medication such as MPFF (Veinexxa) can help to reduce symptoms. Injection sclerotherapy using dilute sclerosants are the best way to get rid of spider veins.
Chronic venous insufficiency
Current practice in treating chronic venous disease by Canadian vascular surgeons
Abstract Objective
To evaluate the practice patterns and interests of vascular surgeons in Canada in the treatment of chronic venous disorder.
Methods
A web-based 19-question survey was sent to 155 active members of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery. Questions assessed training background, interest in venous disease, practice site, venous treatments offered, and obstacles to therapy.
Results
A total of 64 responses (41%) were acquired. Respondents were roughly equal from academic (55%) and community (45%) sites with an even distribution of years in practice. Only 43% offered full range of therapy, which includes compression stockings, sclerotherapy, vein surgery, and endovenous ablation. The main challenges hindering venous practice include lack of time due to overwhelming arterial pathologies (67%), equipment cost/office space limitations (53%), and lack of knowledge or skills in contemporary procedures (28%). The majority of surgeons felt that their residency and fellowship did not prepare them for an active venous practice (69%). Fifty-four percent of the respondents perceived barriers in getting venous ultrasound imaging for their patients. Only 19% of the surgeons find venous disease interesting. Characteristics of these interested surgeons were analyzed and found to be very different from surgeons who did not expressed interest. An overwhelming 92% of all respondents believe that vascular surgeons should be leaders in delivering care for venous disease.
Conclusion
The treatment of chronic venous disorder has advanced over the last few decades but significant obstacles exist for Canadian surgeons to deliver venous therapy in accordance with current guidelines.