What types of surgeries are prescribed for varicose veins?

Conservative treatments are only effective in the initial stages of varicose veins. And because the first signs are usually ignored, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the effectiveness of the devices used. With significant worsening of symptoms, the only option is to remove the varicose veins with surgery. Rehabilitation occupies a special place, requiring patients to meet medical recommendations.

Indications for surgery

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

Surgery is especially recommended for the following patients:

• extensive vascular lesions that can be determined by visual inspection;
• symptoms of edema, constant aching pain and heaviness;
• is ​​a significant risk of thrombophlebitis, a trophic ulcer.

Varicose vein surgery is appropriate if medication does not produce the desired results. It is important not to allow the disease to develop until surgical treatment is useless.

Varicose veins in the legs may be contraindicated in some patients.

Contraindications

Surgery in the last stage is often inadequate, so varicose veins are treated with various medications. They contribute to some reduction in the severity of the disease, but they cannot completely eliminate it.

Surgery is contraindicated in patients with:

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

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

Preparing for surgery

Consulting with a phlebologist will help you prepare competently for your upcoming surgical treatment. The patient has the right to ask any questions of interest to him or her that relate to the surgery.

In addition, you should describe the symptoms present as accurately as possible, talk about possible intolerance to certain medications, and be sure to inform you about the medications you are currently taking.

The treating physician instructs the patient to perform a number of diagnostic procedures:

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

The preparation phase requires certain conditions to be met:

1. 3 days before surgery, the patient must follow a slag-free diet, ie fried, salted, spicy, and meat and flour products are prohibited.
2. Last meal and fluid intake 8 hours before surgery.
3. You should forget about alcohol and cigarettes for at least 3 days.
4. You must remove the hair from the leg on which the operation is performed and use a razor.
5. Tell your doctor if you have abscesses, bruises, or any changes in your skin.

If the patient is driving, they must agree with a close person or acquaintance to record after recording. It is forbidden to drive.

In preparation for surgery, the patient is interested in what type of surgery is recommended to him or her and how much such treatment will cost. When a patient is prescribed venous surgery, many factors affect the price: the stage of the disease, the length of the vessel affected by the varicose veins, anesthesia, and so on.

Ways to remove varicose veins

Because there are many types of varicose veins, the method is selected based on the diagnostic data. In some cases, the venous vessel is partially or completely removed, in others - the veins deformed by the varicose veins are closed or narrowed with a special material.

Phlebectomy

One type of surgical treatment in which the areas of the blood vessels where the varicose veins are cut are cut out. After removal, blood is carried through the deep veins.

The operation is performed as follows:

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

Phlebectomy lasts 1-2 hours. After that, a small scar remains in the operated area.

Microflebectomy

A great alternative to the previous method. The essence of the technique is that no 5 mm incisions are required. A small puncture is enough to do all the necessary manipulations with the vein. Moreover, the healing in this case is much faster, no scars remain.

All kinds of operations performed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs very rarely cause complications.

Thanks to this piercing technique, you can get rid of even large varicose veins.

Stripping

This is a type of phlebectomy. It is used to remove the trunk of the large saphenous vein. The surgeon uses a special probe to tighten the vessel affected by the varicose vein with a small incision. Incisions are made inside the groin and ankle.

Striping is done:

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

Performing such manipulations requires the utmost care of the physician. If there is at least one non-crossed inflow, the risk of relapse increases significantly.

Sclerotherapy

This is a progressive varicose vein removal operation that is minimally invasive and does not require incisions. The goal of the surgeon’s activity is to narrow the lumen of the patient’s vessel until it completely disappears.

To do this, a sclerosant is injected into a vein. The drug promotes irreversible damage to the vessel wall and then overgrowth of the lumen.

Specially designed formulations are usually used.

Sclerotherapy has several benefits:

• the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis;
• the patient can return to daily affairs the next day;
• no general anesthesia is required;
There is no scar after
• surgery.

A negative point is the likelihood of re-occurrence of varicose veins. The disease can affect the veins next to the sclerosant injection. A maximum of 10 injections are given in one procedure, with a duration of treatment of about one hour.

Types of sclerotherapy should be said:

1. Foam.The product used forms a foam on contact with air which fills the cavity of the container. Lumen closure occurs in a short time, while even a small amount of sclerosant is sufficient. In addition, to achieve satisfactory results, 1-2 procedures are performed, in which the foam is injected up to three 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 with an ultrasound scanner, which allows you to clearly differentiate where the sclerosant is injected, accurately quantifies the drug, and avoids undesirable consequences.

The manipulations performed are virtually painless, after which patients recover quickly.

Laser coagulation

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

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

Benefits of laser coagulation:

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

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

Rehabilitation period after vein removal

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

1. Wearing compression stockings is recommended. Your doctor will help you make your choice. At first (about 5 days) the bed linen is not removed before going to bed and later only allowed during the day.
2. In order to maintain blood vessels, alcohol and smoking should be banned, as nicotine and alcohol are one of the most common causes of varicose veins.
3. You should refrain from excessive physical exertion. Even minor injuries to the lower extremities are dangerous. If the patient has previously enjoyed the sport, he can return to the classes in 1, 5-2 months.
4. To prevent relapses, water treatments should not be hot. The sauna, steam bath and solarium are contraindicated.
5. Cosmetic procedures should not be performed on surgical areas.
6. It will be helpful to perform therapeutic exercises.

To prevent varicose veins from returning after surgery, you should take medications prescribed by your doctor to help your blood vessels recover. It is not desirable to change the dosage of drugs at your own discretion, which has unintended consequences. If signs of deterioration appear, it is important to consult a phlebologist immediately.

The type of surgery depends on the individual characteristics of the course of the disease.

Possible complications after surgery

No professional can guarantee a complete absence of postoperative side effects. Complications may occur depending on which surgical treatment method has been used.

Phlebectomy and stripping can be reversed:

• numbness of the leg;
• decreased skin sensitivity;
• pain syndrome;
• bleeding;
• hematomas;
• Contamination of the operated area.

After the appearance of sclerotherapy:

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

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

• inflammation;
• darkening of skin surfaces;
• minor bruising;
• pull the pain.

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

Thanks to surgical treatment, you can successfully get rid of a serious illness. The key is to find a trained professional and not ignore medical recommendations for your recovery period.