What types of operations are prescribed for varicose veins?

Conservative treatment methods are effective only in the initial stages of varicose veins.And as the first signs often go unnoticed, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the effectiveness of the medications used.If symptoms worsen significantly, the only option to remove varicose veins is surgery.A special place is occupied by rehabilitation, which requires patients to comply with medical recommendations.

Indications for surgery

If varicose veins are present, surgical treatment is prescribed in certain cases.

In particular, surgical intervention is indicated for patients with:

• extensive vascular damage, which can be determined by visual examination;
• symptoms in the form of swelling, constant pain and a feeling of heaviness;
• significant risk of thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.

Varicose vein surgery is indicated when the use of medications does not bring the desired results.It is important to prevent the disease from developing to the point where surgical treatment is useless.

For some patients, surgery for varicose veins in the legs may be contraindicated.

Contraindications

Late-stage surgery is often inappropriate;consequently, varicose veins are treated with various medications.They help to slightly reduce the severity of the disease, but cannot completely eliminate it.

Patients suffering from:

• inflammatory skin diseases at the site of development of venous pathology (for example, erysipelas or eczema);
• cardiovascular disorders (coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure);
• acute form of phlebitis;
• infectious diseases (surgery is possible after recovery);
• venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism (history);
• obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities.

Surgical treatment to eliminate varicose veins is contraindicated in patients over 70 years of age, as well as in pregnant women.

Preparing for surgery

A consultation with a phlebologist will help you properly prepare for your upcoming surgical treatment.The patient has the right to ask any question that interests him about the operation.

You should also describe the present symptoms as accurately as possible, talk about a possible intolerance to certain medications and inform about the medications you are currently taking.

The attending physician refers the patient to a series of diagnostic procedures:

• blood and urine tests;
• fluorography;
• electrocardiography;
• duplex ultrasound.

The preparatory stage requires compliance with certain conditions:

1. 3 days before surgery, the patient must adhere to a slag-free diet, that is, fried, salty, spicy products, as well as meat and flour are prohibited.
2. The last meal and fluid intake is 8 hours before surgery.
3. For at least 3 days you should forget about alcohol and cigarettes.
4. You will need to remove hair from the leg where the operation will be performed and you will need to use a razor.
5. If there are ulcers, bruises or any damage to the skin, you should notify your doctor.

If the patient drives a car, they must arrange someone close or known to pick them up after discharge.Driving is currently prohibited.

When preparing for surgery, patients are interested in knowing which type of surgical intervention is recommended and how much this treatment costs.If a patient is scheduled for vein surgery, the price is influenced by several factors: the stage of the disease, the length of the vessel affected by varicose veins, anesthesia, and so on.

Methods for removing varicose veins

As there are different types of surgical treatment for varicose veins, the choice of a specific technique is made based on diagnostic data.In some cases, the venous vessel is partially or completely removed, in others, the veins that have been deformed due to varicose veins are sealed or narrowed with a special substance.

Phlebectomy

A type of surgical treatment during which areas of blood vessels where varicose veins are present are removed.After removal, blood will move through the deep veins.

The operation is performed as follows:

1. After the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon makes small incisions (up to 5 mm).
2. The vein is removed with a special probe, after which the affected area is resected.

The duration of phlebectomy is 1-2 hours.Subsequently, a small scar remains at the operated site.

Microphlebectomy

An excellent alternative to the previous method.The essence of the technique is that there is no need to make 5 mm incisions.A small puncture is enough to carry out all the necessary manipulations on the vein.Furthermore, recovery in this case is much faster and there are no scars.

All types of operations performed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs go well and cause complications in very rare cases.

Thanks to this puncture technique, it is possible to eliminate even large varicose veins.

Pickling

It's a type of phlebectomy.With its help, the trunk of the great saphenous vein is removed.The surgeon removes the vessel affected by varicose veins through a small incision, using a special probe.Incisions are made in the region of the inguinal fold and ankle on the inside.

Removal happens:

• partial– only part of the venous vessel is excised;
• total– the diseased vein is stretched together with its small branches.

Carrying out such manipulations requires maximum care from the doctor.If at least one tributary remains uncrossed, the risk of relapse increases significantly.

Sclerotherapy

This is a surgery to remove progressive varicose veins, which is minimally invasive and does not require incisions.The surgeon's actions are aimed at narrowing the lumen of the diseased vessel until its complete disappearance.

To do this, a sclerosant is injected into a vein.The drug causes irreversible damage to the vessel walls with subsequent excessive growth of the lumen.

Medicines specially developed for this purpose are generally used.

Sclerotherapy has several advantages:

• the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis;
• the patient can return to daily activities the next day;
• no need for general anesthesia;
• There are no scars after the operation.

A negative point is the likelihood of varicose veins reforming.The disease can affect veins located close to those where the sclerosant was injected.Up to 10 injections are performed in one procedure and the treatment duration is about an hour.

It should be said about the types of sclerotherapy:

1. Foam.The medicine used, in contact with air, forms foam, which fills the vessel cavity.Lumen closure occurs in a short period of time and even a small amount of sclerosant is sufficient.In addition, to obtain satisfactory results, 1 to 2 procedures are carried out, during which the foam is injected no more than 3 times.
2. Microsclerotherapy.The technique is suitable in the early stages of the disease.
3. Ecosclerosis.Prescribed for deep vein injuries.The injection is carried out using ultrasound, which makes it possible to clearly distinguish the injection site of the sclerosant, accurately determine the amount of the drug and avoid undesirable consequences.

The manipulations performed are practically painless and subsequently the patients recover quickly.

Laser coagulation

This method of treating varicose veins, called intravenous (endovasal) laser coagulation (obliteration), involves the use of a special device - an LED laser.

It is injected into the affected vein and, thanks to its radiation, the internal surfaces of the vessel are welded.Blood continues to circulate through healthy veins and the patient's well-being improves.

Advantages of laser coagulation:

• absence of scars and age spots on the skin;
• carried out on an outpatient basis for 1 to 2 hours;
• local anesthesia is used;
• manipulations are carried out under the control of an ultrasound machine;
• short recovery period.

The success of the operation can finally be assessed after 3 months.The use of laser guarantees total relief of the disease without the risk of relapse.

The rehabilitation period after vein removal

After surgery, the patient must follow some rules, which will minimize the risk of complications and speed up recovery:

1. The use of compression stockings is recommended.The attending physician will help with your choice.At the beginning (about 5 days), underwear is not removed before going to sleep and later its use is permitted only during the day.
2. To support the blood vessels, alcohol and smoking should be prohibited, as nicotine and alcohol are one of the most common causes of varicose veins.
3. You should refrain from excessive physical activity.Even minor injuries to the lower extremities pose a danger.If the patient previously enjoyed sports, he or she will be able to return to exercise after 1.5 to 2 months.
4. To avoid relapses, water procedures should not be hot.Sauna, Turkish bath and solarium are contraindicated.
5. Cosmetic procedures cannot be performed on the operated areas.
6. It will be useful to perform therapeutic exercises.

To prevent varicose veins from returning after surgery, during the rehabilitation period you will need to take medications prescribed by your doctor to help the vessels recover.It is undesirable to change the dosage of medications at your own discretion, which entails undesirable consequences.If any signs of deterioration appear, it is important to consult a phlebologist immediately.

The type of surgical intervention is determined depending on the individual characteristics of the disease.

Possible complications after surgery

No specialist can guarantee the complete absence of side effects after surgery.Complications may occur depending on the surgical treatment method used.

Phlebectomy and removal can result in:

• numbness in the lower legs;
• decreased skin sensitivity;
• pain syndrome;
• bleeding;
• bruises;
• suppuration of the operated area.

After sclerotherapy, the following may appear:

• swelling of the ankle and foot;
• pigmentation;
• peeling and itching;
• painful sensations;
• skin burn.

If an LED laser is used, the formation of:

• inflammation;
• darkening of areas of the skin;
• light bruising;
• dull pain.

The most dangerous complication of any surgical procedure is thrombosis.But its occurrence is observed in rare cases.With minimally invasive surgery, the risk of blood clots is quite low.

Thanks to surgical treatment, it is possible to successfully get rid of a serious illness.The main thing is to find a qualified specialist and not ignore medical recommendations regarding the recovery period.