What types of operations are prescribed for varicose veins?

Conservative treatment methods are effective only in the early stages of varicose veins. And since the first signs are usually ignored, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the effectiveness of the means used. With a significant worsening of symptoms, the only option that eliminates 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, 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 pain and a feeling of heaviness;
• a significant risk of thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.

Varicose vein surgery is appropriate when the use of medications does not produce the desired results. It is important not to allow the development of the disease until such a time that surgical treatment is useless.

For some patients, surgery for varicose veins of the leg may be contraindicated.

Contraindications

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

Surgical procedures are prohibited for patients suffering from:

• skin diseases of an 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 (in history);
• obliterate 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.

Preparation for surgery

A consultation with a phlebologist will help you competently prepare for the next surgical treatment. The patient has the right to ask any question of interest related to the operation.

You should also describe present symptoms as precisely as possible, discuss possible intolerance to certain medications, and make sure to report on medications that you are currently taking.

The treating physician instructs the patient to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures:

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

The preparatory stage implies meeting certain conditions:

1. 3 days before the operation, the patient must follow a slag-free diet, that is, fried, salty, spicy, as well as meat and mealy 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 on 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, notify your doctor.

If a patient drives a car, they should arrange for someone close or known to pick them up after discharge. While driving is prohibited.

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

Methods to remove varicose veins

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

Phlebectomy

A type of surgical treatment, during which sections of the vessels where varicose veins are present are removed. After the extraction, the movement of the 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 with a special probe, after which the affected area is resected.

Phlebectomy lasts 1 to 2 hours. Later, a small scar remains on the operated site.

Microphlebectomy

Great alternative to the previous method. The essence of the technique is that it is not necessary to make 5mm incisions. A small puncture is enough to perform all the necessary manipulations with the vein. In addition, the recovery in this case is much faster, without leaving scars.

All kinds of operations performed to remove varicose veins in the legs are successful and cause complications in very rare cases.

Thanks to this puncture technique, even large varicose veins can be removed.

Removal

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. The incisions are made on the inside of the groin and ankle.

Deletion occurs:

• partial: only part of the venous vessel is removed;
• total- The diseased vein is removed along with small branches.

The performance of such manipulations requires the utmost care on the part of the physician. If there is at least one non-crossover influx, the risk of relapse increases significantly.

Sclerotherapy

This is an operation 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 it completely disappears.

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

Specially designed preparations are often used.

Sclerotherapy has several advantages:

• the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis;
• the patient is allowed to return to his daily affairs the next day;
• without the need for general anesthesia;
• no scars after surgery.

A negative point is the probability that varicose veins will re-form. The disease can affect the veins located next to those where the sclerosant was injected. Up to 10 injections are made in one procedure and the duration of treatment is approximately one hour.

It should be said about the types of sclerotherapy:

1. Foam.The preparation used, in contact with air, forms a foam that fills the cavity of the container. The closure of the lumen occurs in a short period of time, while even a small amount of sclerosant is sufficient. In addition, 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 suitable in the initial stages of the disease.
3. Ecosclerosis.It is prescribed for deep vein injuries. The injection is carried out using an ultrasound scanner, which allows you to clearly distinguish the injection site of the sclerosant, accurately determine the amount of drug and avoid undesirable consequences.

The manipulations performed are practically painless and the patients subsequently 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 internal surfaces of the vessel are welded. Blood continues to circulate in healthy veins and improves the well-being of the patient.

Advantages of laser coagulation:

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

The final judgment on the success of the operation is possible in 3 months. The use of a laser guarantees complete recovery from the disease without risk of relapse.

Rehabilitation period after vein removal

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

1. It is recommended to wear compression stockings. The attending physician will help you with your choice. At first (about 5 days), bedding is not removed before bedtime, and then it is allowed to use only during the day.
2. To maintain 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 exertion. Even minor injuries to the lower limbs are dangerous. If the patient was previously fond of sports, it is possible to return to classes in 1, 5-2 months.
4. To avoid relapse, water treatments should not be hot. Sauna, steam bath and solarium are contraindicated.
5. No cosmetic procedures can be performed on operated areas.
6. It will be useful for therapeutic exercises.

To prevent varicose veins from reappearing after surgery, during the rehabilitation period, you will need to take medications prescribed by a doctor that will help the vessels to heal. It is undesirable to change the dosage of drugs 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 surgery is determined based on the individual characteristics of the course of the disease.

Possible complications after surgery

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

Phlebectomy and stripping can change:

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

After sclerotherapy, the following may appear:

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

If a laser LED was used, the formation of:

• inflammation;
• darkening of skin areas;
• minor bruising;
• 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.