What types of surgeries are prescribed for varicose veins?

Conservative treatment methods are effective only in the initial stages of varicose veins. And since usually the first signs are ignored, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the efficiency of the means used. With a 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 varicose veins are present, surgery is indicated in certain cases.

In particular, surgery is indicated for patients with:

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

Varicose vein surgery 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.

In some patients, varicose vein surgery on the legs may be contraindicated.

Contraindications

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

Surgery is prohibited for patients suffering from:

• skin diseases of inflammatory nature 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);
• obliterative atherosclerosis of blood vessels of the lower extremities.

Surgical treatment to remove varicose veins is contraindicated in patients older than 70 years, as well as in pregnant women.

Preparing for surgery

A consultation with a phlebologist will help you competently prepare for the upcoming surgical treatment. The patient has the right to ask any questions that interest him regarding the operation.

You should also describe the symptoms as accurately as possible, discuss possible intolerance to certain medications, and be sure to inform about medications that are currently being taken.

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

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

The preparation phase involves meeting certain conditions:

1. 3 days before the operation, the patient must adhere to a diet without slag, ie it is forbidden to fry, salt, spice, as well as meat and flour products.
2. Last meal and fluid intake 8 hours before surgery.
3. Forget about alcohol and cigarettes for at least 3 days.
4. You will need to remove the hair from your leg to operate on it.
5. If you have abscesses, bruises or any skin lesions, tell your doctor.

If the patient is driving a car, it should be arranged with 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 the varicose veins, anesthesia, and so on.

Varicose vein removal methods

Since there are many types of surgical treatment of 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 by varicose veins, are sealed or narrowed with a special substance.

Phlebectomy

A type of surgical treatment, during which parts of the veins on which the veins are dilated are cut out. After removal, the movement of blood will be performed through 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 using a special probe, after which the affected area is resected.

Phlebectomy takes 1-2 hours. After that, a small scar remains on the operated site.

Microphlebectomy

An excellent alternative to the previous method. The essence of the technique is that there is no need to cut 5 mm. A small puncture is enough to perform all the necessary venous manipulations. Moreover, recovery in this case is much faster, without scarring.

All types of surgeries performed to remove varicose veins on the legs are successful and in very rare cases cause any complications.

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

Remove

This is 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 were made on the inside of the groin and ankle.

Removal is happening:

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

Performing such manipulations requires the utmost care of the physician. If at least one uncrossed inflow remains, the risk of recurrence increases significantly.

Sclerotherapy

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

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

Specially designed 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 chores the next day;
• no need for general anesthesia;
• no scars after surgery.

The negative point is the probability of recurrence of varicose veins. The disease can affect the veins next to those injected with sclerosant. Up to 10 injections are performed in one procedure, and the duration of treatment is about an hour.

The types of sclerotherapy should be mentioned:

1. Foam.The preparation used in contact with air creates a foam that fills the cavity of the vessel. Lumen closure occurs in a short period of time, although even a small amount of sclerosant is sufficient. In addition, to achieve 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 initial stages of the disease.
3. Echosclerosis.It is prescribed for deep vein lesions. The injection is performed using an ultrasound scanner, which allows you to clearly distinguish the site of the sclerosant injection, precisely determine the amount of medicine and avoid side effects.

The performed manipulations are practically painless, so patients recover quickly.

Laser coagulation

This method of treating varicose veins, called endovenous (endovasal) laser coagulation (obliteration), 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.

Advantages of laser coagulation:

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

A final judgment on the success of the operation is possible in 3 months. The use of lasers guarantees complete recovery from diseases without the risk of recurrence.

Rehabilitation period after vein removal

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

1. It is recommended to wear compression stockings. The attending physician will help him choose. Initially (about 5 days) bedding is not removed before bedtime, and later 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 exertion. Even minor injuries to the lower extremities are dangerous. If the patient was previously a sports fan, it is possible to return to classes in 1, 5-2 months.
4. To prevent recurrences, water treatments should not be hot. Sauna, steam bath and solarium are contraindicated.
5. Cosmetic procedures cannot be performed on the operated areas.
6. Performing therapeutic exercises will be helpful.

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

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

Possible complications after surgery

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

Phlebectomy and removal can be reversed:

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

After sclerotherapy, the following may occur:

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

If a laser LED is used, formation:

• inflammation;
• darkening of the skin area;
• minor bruising;
• withdrawal 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 serious diseases. The main thing is to find a qualified specialist and not ignore medical recommendations regarding the recovery period.