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 not taken into account, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the effectiveness 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, persistent aching pain and feeling of heaviness;
• a significant risk of thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.

Varicose vein surgery is appropriate when the use of medication does not bring the desired results. It is important not to allow the disease to develop until the moment when surgical treatment is useless.

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

Contraindications

Surgery in the last stage is often inappropriate, so varicose veins are treated with different medicines. They help to somewhat reduce the severity of the disease, but they can not completely eliminate it.

Surgical procedures are prohibited for patients suffering from:

• skin diseases of an inflammatory nature at the site 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);
• destroying the arteriosclerosis 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 the operation

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

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

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

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

The preparatory phase requires compliance with certain conditions:

1. 3 days before surgery, the patient should adhere to a slag-free diet, ie fried, salty, spicy products, as well as meat and flour 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 damage, tell your doctor.

If a patient drives a car, he or she should contact someone close or known to pick it up after discharge. While driving is prohibited.

Preparing 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 venous surgery, many factors affect the price: the stage of the disease, the length of the vessel affected by varicose veins, anesthesia, etc.

Methods for Varicose Veins Removal

Since there are many types of surgical treatment for varicose veins, the choice of a particular method is made based on 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 in which the areas of the vessels where varicose veins are present are rested. After removal, blood movement will be performed 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 restored.

Phlebectomy lasts 1-2 hours. Subsequently, a small scar remains at the operated site.

Microflebectomy

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, the recovery in this case is much faster, leaving no marks.

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

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

Undressing

This is a type of phlebectomy. With its help, the trunk of the great saphenous vein is removed. The surgeon pulls the affected vessel from the varicose veins through a small incision, using a special probe. Incisions are made in the inner part of the hip and ankle.

Stripping occurs:

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

Performing such manipulations requires the utmost care from the doctor. If there is at least one redistributed flow, the risk of recurrence increases significantly.

Scleotherapy

This is an operation to remove progressively varicose veins, which is minimally invasive and requires no incisions. The surgeon's actions are aimed at narrowing the lumen of the diseased vessel until it disappears completely.

For this, a sclerosing agent is injected into a vein. The drug promotes irreversible damage to the walls of blood vessels with subsequent lumen enlargement.

Specially designed preparations are commonly 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;
• does not need general anesthesia;
• no wounds after surgery.

A negative point is the probability of varicose veins re-forming. The disease can affect the veins located near where the sclerosant was injected. Up to 10 injections are performed in one procedure, and the duration of treatment is about one hour.

It should be said about the types of sclerotherapy:

1. Foam.The preparation used, in contact with air, forms foam, which fills the cavity of the container. Lumen closure 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 appropriate in the early stages of the disease.
3. Echosclerosis.is ​​prescribed for deep vein injuries. The injection is done using an ultrasound scanner, which allows you to clearly distinguish the injection site of the sclerosant, accurately determine the amount of medicine and avoid undesirable consequences.

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

Laser coagulation

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

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

Laser coagulation pros:

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

Rehabilitation period after vein removal

After surgery, the patient should follow some rules, which minimize the risk of complications and speed up recovery:

1. Wearing compression stockings is recommended. The attending physician will assist in his choice. At first (about 5 days), the linen is not removed before going to bed, and later its use is allowed only during the day.
2. To maintain blood vessels, alcohol and smoking should be stopped, as nicotine and alcohol are one of the most common causes of varicose veins.
3. You need to refrain from excessive physical exertion. Even minor injuries to the lower extremities are dangerous. If the patient was previously fond of sports, it is possible to return to classes for 1, 5-2 months.
4. To prevent relapses, water treatments should not be hot. Sauna, steam bath and solarium are contraindicated.
5. No cosmetic procedures can be performed on the operated areas.
6. It will be useful to perform therapeutic exercises.

To prevent varicose veins from returning after surgery, during the rehabilitation period, you will need to take medication prescribed by a doctor to help the vessels recover. It is undesirable to change the dose of medication at your discretion, which is fraught with undesirable consequences. If any signs of deterioration appear, it is important to see 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 specialist can guarantee the complete absence of side effects after surgery. Complications can occur depending on the method of surgical treatment.

Phlebectomy and undressing may return:

• numbness in the lower legs;
• decreased skin sensitivity;
• pain syndrome;
• bleeding;
• hematoma;
• emptying the operated area.

After sclerotherapy, the following may appear:

• swelling of the ankle and foot;
• pigmentim;
• peeling and itching;
• painful sensations;
• skin burn.

If a laser LED is used, the formation of:

• inflammation;
• darkening of skin areas;
• small bruises;
• pulling 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 a serious illness. The main thing is to find a qualified specialist and not ignore the medical recommendations regarding the recovery period.