Should I have a surgical procedure for varicose veins?
Medical Information
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. Varicose veins most commonly develop in the legs and ankles.
How are varicose veins treated?
For most people, home treatment is effective in relieving symptoms of varicose veins. Exercising, wearing compression stockings, and elevating the legs are common self-care measures. Sometimes being overweight can worsen varicose veins. Your doctor may recommend that you lose weight.
If you have bothersome symptoms despite home treatment, you may want to consider a surgical procedure. The following procedures can usually be performed in your doctor’s office or clinic:
Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a chemical (sclerosant) is injected into the varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein, and cause the vein to close.
Laser therapy. Newer techniques using deeper-penetrating lasers have enabled effective closure of slightly larger leg veins. Laser therapy scars and closes off varicose veins.
Microphlebectomy, or stab avulsion. In this procedure, several tiny incisions are made in the skin through which the varicose vein is removed. Stitches usually are not required.
Radiofrequency closure technique. Radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) is used to close off large varicose veins in the leg.
Vein ligation and stripping is a standard surgical treatment for varicose veins. During this surgery, one or more incisions are made over the vein, and the vein is tied off (ligated) and all or the diseased part of the vein is usually removed (stripped). This surgery usually requires general or spinal anesthesia.
What are the risks of surgical procedures for varicose veins?
The risks of sclerotherapy and radiofrequency closure technique for varicose veins include:
Recurrence of varicose veins (fairly common).
Blood clots in the veins.
Small scars.
Numbness at the site of catheter insertion (radiofrequency closure technique only).
Bleeding sores (ulceration).
In rare cases, allergic reaction to the solution injected into the vein (sclerotherapy only).
In rare cases, permanent changes in the color of the skin or the formation of tiny new blood vessels (matting) in the area that was treated.
The risks of vein ligation and stripping surgery include:
Bleeding.
Infection.
Numbness in the leg, which is usually minor.
Small scars where the vein was removed.
Risks of anesthesia.
Decreased circulation in the affected leg, resulting in swelling.
People with a history of blood clots in the deep veins (deep vein thrombosis) or blood clots and inflammation in a small vein near the surface of the skin (thrombophlebitis) may be at greater risk for problems related to varicose vein surgery.
If you need more information, see the topic Varicose Veins.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:04 am
[...] Should I have a surgical procedure for varicose veins? - For most people, home treatment is effective in relieving symptoms of varicose veins. Exercising, wearing compression stockings, and elevating the legs are common self-care measures. Sometimes being overweight can worsen varicose veins. [...]