Brazilian Markets for Varicose Vein Treatment Devices 2009

Brazil, one of the most aesthetically aware nations in the world, is extremely underpenetrated with respect to varicose vein treatment devices. In the public health care system, surgical stripping and ambulatory phlebectomy are cost-effective options for patients because the government reimburses for these procedures, and physicians do not need to purchase capital equipment to perform these techniques. Surgical stripping is a highly traumatic procedure for the patient, however, and recovery is much slower than newer minimally invasive treatments, such as endovenous ablation. Opportunities for market expansion will predominantly be confined to the private health care system, which typically services a more affluent demographic in Brazil. Foreign device manufacturers planning to enter the Brazilian market will need to fully understand its driving and limiting factors in order to optimize market entry and capitalize on this underpenetrated market.