What types of surgery are prescribed for varicose veins?

Conservative treatments are effective only in the early stages of varicose veins. In general, because the first symptoms are not taken into account, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the effectiveness of the means used. With significant worsening of symptoms, surgery is the only option to remove varicose veins. Rehabilitation, which requires patients to follow medical advice, has a special place.

Operating Instructions

If you have varicose veins, surgery is indicated in some cases.

In particular, surgery is indicated for the following patients:

• large vascular lesions that can be identified by visual examination;
• signs of edema, persistent aching pain and a feeling of heaviness;
• A significant risk of thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.

Varicose vein surgery is suitable when the use of drugs does not give the desired result. It is important not to allow the disease to develop until surgical treatment is useless.

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

Contraindications

End-stage surgery is often inappropriate, so varicose veins are treated with a variety of medications. They help to reduce the severity of the disease, but it is impossible to eliminate it completely.

Surgery is prohibited for patients suffering from the following diseases.

• an inflammatory skin disease at the site of venous pathology (eg, erysipelas or eczema);
• cardiovascular diseases (coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure);
• acute form of phlebitis;
• infectious diseases (possible after surgery);
• venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism (history);
• Atherosclerosis that destroys the vessels of the lower extremities.

Surgical treatment to remove varicose veins is contraindicated in patients over 70 years of age and pregnant women.

Preparation for surgery

Consultation with a phlebologist will help you to better prepare for the upcoming surgery. The patient has the right to ask questions related to the operation.

You should also describe the symptoms as accurately as possible, talk about possible intolerances to certain medications, and make sure you provide information about the medications you are currently taking.

The attending physician directs the patient to undergo a number of diagnostic procedures:

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

The preparation phase involves the fulfillment of certain conditions:

1. 3 days before the operation, the patient must follow a slag-free diet, ie fried, salty, spicy, as well as meat and flour products are prohibited.
2. Last meal and fluid intake 8 hours before surgery.
3. You should forget about alcohol and smoking for at least 3 days.
4. You need to remove the hair from the leg to be operated on and use a razor.
5. Tell your doctor if you have an abscess, bruise, or any other damage to your skin.

If a patient drives a car, he must agree with a relative or acquaintance to pick it up after leaving the hospital. It is forbidden to drive a car.

In preparation for surgery, the patient is interested in what type of surgery is indicated for him and how much such treatment costs. If a patient is prescribed vascular surgery, the price is affected by many factors: the stage of the disease, the length of the vein affected by varicose veins, anesthesia, etc.

Varicose Veins Removal Methods

Since there are many types of surgical treatment for varicose veins, the choice of a particular method is based on diagnostic data. In some cases, the venous vein is partially or completely removed, in others - the veins that are deformed by varicose veins are sealed or narrowed with a special substance.

Phlebectomy

A type of surgical treatment in which varicose veins are cut. After removal, blood flow will take place through deep veins.

The operation is as follows:

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

Phlebectomy lasts 1-2 hours. Later, a small wound remains in the operated area.

Microflebectomy

An excellent alternative to the previous method. The essence of the technique is that there is no need to make 5 mm cuts. A small puncture is enough to perform all the necessary manipulations with the vein. Moreover, in this case, recovery is faster without leaving any traces.

All operations to remove varicose veins of the legs are successful and very rarely cause any complications.

Thanks to this piercing technique, it is possible to get rid of even large varicose veins.

Soyma

This is a type of phlebectomy. With its help, the trunk of a large saphenous vein is removed. The surgeon draws a small incision in the vein affected by varicose veins using a special probe. Incisions are made on the inside of the groin and ankle.

Peeling occurs:

• partial- only part of the venous artery is removed;
• total- the diseased vein is drawn together with small branches.

Such manipulations require maximum attention from the doctor. If there is at least one non-mixed input, the risk of relapse increases significantly.

Sclerotherapy

This is an operation to remove progressive varicose veins that are minimally invasive and do not require incisions. The surgeon's actions are aimed at narrowing the lumen of the patient's vessel until it is completely gone.

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

Generally, specially prepared drugs are used.

Sclerotherapy has several advantages:

• procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis;
• the patient is allowed to return to his daily work the next day;
• no need for general anesthesia;
• There is no scar after the operation.

The downside is the possibility of recurrence of varicose veins. The disease can affect the arteries near the arteries where sclerosis is struck. Up to 10 injections are made in one procedure and the duration of treatment is about an hour.

Types of sclerotherapy should be mentioned:

1. Foam.The drug used, in contact with air, forms a foam that fills the cavity of the container. Closure of the lumen occurs in a short time, and a small amount of sclerosant is sufficient. In addition, 1-2 procedures are performed to achieve satisfactory results, during which time the foam is injected a maximum of 3 times.
2. Microsclerotherapy.The technique is appropriate in the early stages of the disease.
3. Echoclerosis.Prescribed for deep vein damage. The injection uses an ultrasound scanner that allows you to clearly identify the injection site of the sclerosis, accurately determine the amount of drug and avoid undesirable consequences.

The manipulations are practically painless, and then the patients recover quickly.

Laser coagulation

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

It is injected into the affected vein and the inner surfaces of the vein are soldered due to the radiation. Blood continues to circulate through healthy blood vessels and the patient's well-being improves.

Advantages of laser coagulation:

• no scars or age spots on the skin;
• is ​​carried out in an outpatient setting for 1-2 hours;
• local anesthetic is used;
• manipulation is performed under the control of an ultrasound machine;
• short recovery period.

The final decision on the success of the operation is possible within 3 months. The use of a laser ensures complete recovery from the disease without the risk of relapse.

Rehabilitation period after vascular removal

After the operation, the patient should follow certain rules that will minimize the risk of complications and increase the speed of recovery:

1. It is recommended to wear compression stockings. The attending physician will assist in selection. Initially (approximately 5 days) the linen is not removed before bedtime and then allowed to use only during the day.
2. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited to protect blood vessels, as nicotine and alcohol are one of the most common causes of varicose veins.
3. You should avoid excessive physical force. Even minor injuries to the lower extremities are dangerous. If the patient used to love sports, it is possible to return to classes after 1, 5-2 months.
4. Water procedures should not be hot to prevent recurrences. Sauna, 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, you should take the medication prescribed by your doctor during rehabilitation, which will help the veins to heal. It is undesirable to change the dose of medication at your own discretion, which is fraught with undesirable consequences. If any signs of deterioration appear, it is important to consult a phlebologist immediately.

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

Postoperative complications

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

Phlebectomy and stripping can turn into:

• numbness in lower legs;
• Decreased skin sensitivity;
• pain syndrome;
• bleeding;
• hematomas;
• Washing of the operated area.

After sclerotherapy, the following may appear:

• swelling of the ankle and foot;
• pigmentation;
• peeling and itching;
• painful feelings;
• skin burns.

Occurrence if laser LED is used:

• inflammation;
• darkening of skin areas;
• small bruises;
• suffering pain.

The most dangerous complication of any surgery is thrombosis. However, it is rare. The risk of blood clots with minimally invasive surgery is very low.

Thanks to surgical treatment, it is possible to successfully get rid of a serious illness. The key is to find a qualified professional and not neglect medical advice regarding the recovery period.