What types of operations are prescribed for varicose veins?

Conservative methods of treatment are effective only in the initial 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 obliges patients to comply with medical recommendations.

Indications for surgery

In the presence of varicose veins, surgical treatment is indicated in some 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 medication does not bring the desired results. It is important not to allow the development of the disease until such time as surgical treatment is unnecessary.

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

Contraindications

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

Surgical interventions are prohibited for patients suffering from:

• skin diseases of an inflammatory nature at the site of the 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);
• obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower limbs.

Surgical treatment to remove varicose veins is contraindicated in patients over 70 years of age, 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 him any questions that interest him in connection with the operation.

You should also describe your symptoms as precisely as possible, talk about possible intolerance to certain medicines and be sure to inform yourself about the medicines you are currently taking.

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

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

The preparatory phase requires compliance with certain conditions:

1. 3 days before the operation, the patient should adhere to a dairy-free diet, that is, 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 skin lesions, tell your doctor.

If a patient drives a car, he must arrange with a relative or acquaintance to come and pick him up after discharge. Driving is prohibited.

In preparing for the operation, the patient is interested in the type of surgery that is indicated to him and the cost of this treatment. 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 to remove varicose veins

Since there are many types of surgical treatment for varicose veins, the choice of a particular method is based on the diagnostic data. In some cases, the venous vessel is partially or completely removed, in others - the veins, deformed by 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 excised. After removal, the movement of blood will be carried out in the 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 resected.

The phlebectomy lasts 1 to 2 hours. Subsequently, a small scar remains on the operated site.

Microflebectomy

Excellent 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 scarring.

All types of operations performed to remove varicose veins from the legs are successful and in very rare cases lead to complications.

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

Stripping

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 excised;
• total- the diseased vein is extracted with small branches.

Performing such manipulations requires the utmost care on the part of the physician. If there is at least one uncrossed influx, the risk of relapse increases dramatically.

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 disappears completely.

To do this, a sclerosant is injected into a vein. The drug promotes irreversible damage to the walls of the vessels with subsequent proliferation 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 resume his daily activities the next day;
• no need for general anesthesia;
• no scars after surgery.

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

We must say about the types of sclerotherapy:

1. Moss.The preparation used, in contact with air, forms a foam which fills the cavity of the tank. Closure of the lumen occurs in a short time, when 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 suitable for the initial stages of the disease.
3. Echosclerosis.It is prescribed for lesions of the deep veins. The injection is done using an ultrasound scanner, which allows you to clearly distinguish the place of injection of the sclerosant, accurately determine the amount of the drug and avoid unwanted consequences.

The manipulations performed are practically painless, and afterwards the 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 internal surfaces of the vessel are fused. Blood continues to circulate through 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 to 2 hours;
• a local anesthetic is used;
• manipulations are performed under the control of an ultrasonic device;
• short payback period.

The final judgment on the success of the operation is possible in 3 months. The use of a laser guarantees a complete cure of the disease without the 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. Wearing compression stockings is recommended. The attending physician will help you in your choice. At first (about 5 days), the linen is not removed before going to bed, and later its use is only allowed 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 must refrain from any excessive physical exertion. Even minor injuries to the lower limbs are dangerous. If the patient previously liked sports, it is possible to resume classes in 1, 5-2 months.
4. To avoid relapses, water treatments should not be hot. Sauna, steam bath and solarium are not recommended.
5. No cosmetic procedures can be performed on the operated areas.
6. Performing therapeutic exercises will help.

To prevent the return of varicose veins after the operation, during the rehabilitation period, you will need to take medicines prescribed by your doctor, which will help the vessels to recover. It is undesirable to change the dosage of drugs at your discretion, which leads to unwanted consequences. If 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 arise depending on the method of surgical treatment used.

Phlebectomy and stripping may change:

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

After sclerotherapy, the following may appear:

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

If a laser LED was used, the formation of:

• inflammation;
• darkening of skin areas;
• minor bruises;
• tug of pain.

The most dangerous complication of any surgery is thrombosis. But its appearance is observed in rare cases. With minimally invasive surgery, the risk of blood clots forming 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.