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February 25, 2016
Belvoir Hospital first military facility to use new vein procedure By Alexandra Snyder Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Public Affairs Fort Belvoir Community Hospital recently made history as the first military treatment facility to perform varicose vein correction using medical-grade glue. The adhesive was recently approved for use in the U.S. and Belvoir Hospital is the country’s sixth facility to perform the procedure. Taking an average of 30 minutes and involving just one injection of local anesthetic, the procedure requires significantly less recovery time than traditional varicose vein surgeries. In traditional procedures, the vein is either pulled out of the body via an incision in the groin – a procedure known as “vein stripping,” or soldered closed using high temperatures, said Lt. Col. Llewellyn Lee, chief of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology at Belvoir Hospital. Lee led the multi-disciplinary team that performed the vein glue procedure. “Vein stripping is performed under general anesthesia and usually involves two weeks’ recovery time,” Lee said. “By comparison, the glue adhesive treatment offers a minimally invasive alternative and no hospital stay.” During a vein glue procedure, glue is inserted into the diseased vein via a fine catheter tube, which seals the vein shut. Blood flow is then naturally
Up Front Voter Assistance
Service members, Defense Department civilians and their families looking for information about registering to vote and voting absentee can find it at the installation’s Voting Assistance Office. Call 703-806-4084/4392, or visit the Voting Assistance Office, in the Fort Belvoir Welcome Center, Bldg. 1155, for more information. Service members can also contact their unit’s voting assistance officer for help. Information, voter registration forms and absentee ballots are also available on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, www.FVAP.gov.
Black History observance today
DoD photo by Reese Brown
Marine Capt. Brett Disher gets an ultrasound of his affected blood vessel before varicose vein correction surgery. Disher was the first active-duty Service member and one of the first Americans to receive the surgery, which involves using medical-grade adhesive to close affected veins. redirected through other healthy veins in the leg. Patients are typically able to leave the hospital shortly after the surgery is complete and can resume minor activity within a few hours. “This is an exciting new technique to treat varicose veins, with very little pain and almost no downtime,” Lee said. “That is very important to our patients, some of whom are activeduty and suffering from varicose veins due to frequent hours of standing watch and hiking with heavy
equipment.” Varicose veins are a common problem, affecting up to 30 percent of adults in the U.S. While most develop in the legs, varicose veins can also appear in the groin. They affect men and women of all ages and ethnicities. “When the small valves inside the veins stop working properly, blood flows in reverse and pools in the vein, making it swell,” he said. “For some sufferers, this causes painful, aching legs. But, it can also have other, more See HOSPITAL, Page A7
Awareness is key to keeping kids safe online By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Some recent news events have put online safety back in the limelight. “Living in this area and paying attention to the news makes you realize it’s an issue here (in Virginia),” said Wendy O’Sullivan, Fort Belvoir school liaison officer. “However, it doesn’t just stop here – it’s a national issue.” News articles might alarm parents about the dangers of online predators, who lure children with the intent to commit crimes. While there are offenders who use deception, research shows not all online predators use deceptive practices toward victims. “People need to educate themselves on privacy and how to protect and educate their children from cyberbullying and human trafficking,” O’Sullivan said. According to an article published in 2013 in the Jour-
nal of Adolescent Health, titled “Are Crimes by Online Predators Different from Crimes by Sex Offenders Who Know Youth In-Person?” online offenders typically do not use violence or overt deception, such as pretending to be someone they are not. That still occurs, but online predators may use ideas of love and romance to seduce targets and hide their intentions. Sex crimes involving statutory rape are less likely to be reported because a minor may not view themselves as a victim. The minor might believe they have developed a romantic or strong bond with the offender and not realize the adult’s actions are illegal. Online predators take advantage of older children and teens who are at the stage where they are learning about romantic relationships and sexual development, according to an article published in the American Psychologist titled “Online ‘Predators’ and Their See ONLINE, Page A7
Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, director, Force Development Army G8 at the Pentagon, is guest speaker at Belvoir’s Black History Month observance. The event is today at 11:30 a.m. in the Community Center. This year’s theme is Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories. Info is available by calling 703-805-5390.
School expansion, boundary meeting tonight
Fairfax County Public Schools has a public meeting on Fort Belvoir Elementary School expansion and boundary changes. Terry Dade, FCPS’s assistant superintendent for Region 3, hosts the meeting, which is at 6:30 p.m. today at the school. Residents of all Fort Belvoir Villages are encouraged to attend to get the latest information on the expansion status; those who will be affected by the boundary change; timeline and milestones. There will be a chance for discussion, questions and feedback.
Women’s History
Fort Belvoir’s Women’s History Month observance is March 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the Community Center. Maj. Gen. Gwendolyn Bingham, commanding general of U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, is guest speaker. This year’s theme is: Working to Form a More Perfect Union, Honoring Women in Public Service and Government. Info is available from Sgt. 1st Class Nieasha Barnes, nieasha.t.barnes. mil@mail.mil, 703-805-5390.