What types of surgeries are prescribed for varicose veins?

Conservative treatments are effective only in the early stages of varicose veins. And because usually the first signs are ignored, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the effectiveness of the means used. With significant worsening of symptoms, the only option that removes varicose veins is surgery. A special place is occupied by rehabilitation, which requires patients to follow medical recommendations.

Indications for operation

If there are varicose veins, surgery is indicated in some cases.

In particular, surgery is indicated for patients with:

• extensive vascular lesions that can be identified by visual examination;
• symptoms of edema, constant pain and heaviness;
• significant risk of thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.

Surgery for varicose veins is appropriate when the use of drugs does not bring the desired results. It is important not to allow the disease to develop until surgical treatment is useless.

For some patients, varicose vein surgery may be contraindicated.

Contraindications

Surgery at the last stage is often inappropriate, which is why varicose veins are treated with various drugs. They help to reduce the severity of the disease to some extent, but they cannot completely eliminate it.

Surgical procedures are prohibited for patients suffering from:

• skin diseases of an inflammatory nature at the site of development of venous pathology (eg, 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);
• erasing 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 operation

Consultation with a phlebologist will help you prepare competently for the upcoming surgical treatment. The patient has the right to ask any questions of interest to him related to the operation.

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

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

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

The preparation phase requires compliance with certain conditions:

1. 3 days before the operation, the patient should adhere to a slag-free diet, ie fried, salted, spicy, as well as meat and flour products are prohibited.
2. Last meal and fluid intake 8 hours before surgery.
3. For at least 3 days you should forget about alcohol and cigarettes.
4. You will need to remove the hair from the leg on which the operation will be performed and you will need to use a razor.
5. If you have abscesses, bruises or any skin lesions, tell your doctor.

If the patient is driving a car, he or she should arrange for a relative or acquaintance to pick it up after discharge. While driving is prohibited.

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

Varicose vein removal methods

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

Phlebectomy

A type of surgical treatment in which the areas of the vessels in which there are varicose veins are cut. After removal, the movement of blood will take place through deep veins.

The operation is performed as follows:

1. Once 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 takes 1-2 hours. Subsequently, a small scar remains on the operated site.

Microphlebectomy

Excellent alternative to the previous method. The essence of the technique is that there is no need to make incisions of 5 mm. A small puncture is enough to perform all the necessary manipulations with the vein. In addition, recovery in this case is much faster as long as no scars remain.

All types of operations performed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs are successful and cause all sorts of complications in very rare cases.

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

Cleanup

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

Removal occurs:

• partial- only part of the venous vessel is excised;
• total- the diseased vein is pulled together with small branches.

Performing such manipulations requires extreme care from the doctor. If there is at least one transient inflow, the risk of recurrence increases significantly.

Sclerotherapy

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

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

Specially developed preparations are usually used.

Sclerotherapy has several advantages:

• The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis;
• the patient is allowed to return to daily affairs the next day;
• does not need general anesthesia;
• has no scars after surgery.

The downside is the likelihood of recurrence of varicose veins. The disease can affect the veins located next to those where the sclerosant is injected. Up to 10 injections are given in one procedure, and the duration of treatment is about an hour.

It should be said about the types of sclerotherapy:

1. Foam.The product used in contact with air forms a foam that fills the cavity of the vessel. Lumen closure occurs for a short period of time, while even a small amount of sclerosant is sufficient. In addition, in order to obtain satisfactory results, 1-2 procedures are performed, during which the foam is injected a maximum of 3 times.
2. Microsclerotherapy.The technique is appropriate in the early stages of the disease.
3. Echosclerosis.Prescribed for deep vein lesions. The injection is performed using an ultrasound scanner, which allows you to clearly distinguish the injection site of the sclerosant, accurately determine the amount of the drug and avoid side effects.

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

Laser coagulation

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

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

Pros of laser coagulation:

• lack of scars and age spots on the skin;
• is ​​performed on an outpatient basis for 1-2 hours;
• local anesthesia is used;
• manipulations are performed under the control of an ultrasonic machine;
• short recovery period.

The final assessment of the success of the operation is possible after 3 months. The use of a laser guarantees complete recovery from the disease without the risk of recurrence.

Rehabilitation period after vein removal

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

1. It is recommended to wear compression knitwear. Your doctor will help you choose it. Initially (about 5 days) the underwear is not removed before bedtime, and later its use is allowed only during the day.
2. Alcohol and smoking should be banned to maintain blood vessels, 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 limbs are dangerous. If the patient has previously been a sports fan, it is possible to return to classes after 1, 5-2 months.
4. To prevent recurrences, water treatments should not be hot. The sauna, steam bath and solarium are contraindicated.
5. Cosmetic procedures cannot be performed on the operated areas.
6. Performing therapeutic exercises will be useful.

To prevent the return of varicose veins after surgery, you will need to take medication prescribed by a doctor during the rehabilitation period to help the vessels recover. It is undesirable to change the dosage of drugs at your discretion, which is fraught with side effects. If there are signs of deterioration, it is important to see a phlebologist immediately.

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

Possible complications after surgery

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

Phlebectomy and stripping can be reversed:

• tingling in the lower legs;
• decreased skin sensitivity;
• pain syndrome;
• bleeding;
• hematomas;
• heating the operated area.

The following may occur after sclerotherapy:

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

If a laser LED has been used, it is possible to:

• inflammation;
• darkening of skin areas;
• minor bruises;
• pulling pain.

The most dangerous complication of any surgical procedure is thrombosis. But its appearance 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 to ignore medical recommendations regarding the recovery period.