Alternative Names treatment for varicose veins, vein ligation and stripping
Definition Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins, most commonly located in the legs. There are several ways to remove or treat these damaged veins.
Who is a candidate for the procedure? Surgery can be done for most people who want to have varicose veins removed. Surgery is usually advised if symptoms are severe and don't respond to other therapy. Many people have surgery because they don't like the way the veins look.
How is the procedure performed? There are a number of ways to remove or treat varicose veins. The procedure used depends on their location and severity. Surgeons may also have methods they prefer.
The procedure may be done with local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. Local anaesthesia means that numbing medication is injected under the skin where the cuts will be made. General anaesthesia means the person is put to sleep with medications. The surgeon usually decides the type of pain control after talking with the person before surgery.
Procedures used to treat varicose veins include:
surgical ligation and stripping, which is the most complex procedure, used for more severe varicose veins. Certain veins in the leg are tied off, which is called ligation. A small stitch is tied around a vein to block blood flow through it. Stripping is a technique to remove a long portion of a vein using only two small skin cuts. First, a small cut is made at the bottom of the vein. A thin metal instrument is placed into the vein through the cut after it is tied off. The instrument is passed up through the vein. A small skin cut is then made at the top and the device is removed through it. The entire length of vein is pulled out with the device.
phlebectomy, or removal of the vein through cuts in the skin. Phlebectomy is similar to ligation and stripping, except that smaller pieces of vein are removed with a small surgical hook.
sclerotherapy, which permanently closes or collapses the veins with chemicals. Certain irritating chemicals can be injected directly into the varicose veins. This damages the veins and causes them to permanently collapse.
electrodessication, which is the use of electrical current to permanently seal varicose veins
laser therapy and intense pulsed light therapy, which use laser beams or high intensity light to destroy varicose veins
What happens right after the procedure? After the surgery, the person will be taken to the surgery recovery room to be watched closely for a short time. Vital signs, blood pressure, pulse, and breathing will be checked frequently. Bandages are usually placed over any cuts. Those who have had more complex surgery may need to stay in the hospital overnight. Most other people will be able to go home a few hours after surgery. If sedatives or general anaesthesia were used, someone else must drive the person home.
What happens later at home? The surgeon or the staff will explain care of any bandages before the person goes home. Swelling and bruising are common when cuts are made. The person will generally have very little pain. Over-the-counter analgesics are usually used for pain, but a prescription analgesia may be given. Most people are able to return to normal activity with 3 or 4 days. While these procedures do cure varicose veins, new varicose veins can appear and need treatment.
What are the potential complications after the procedure? All surgeries have possible complications. These include bleeding, infection, and reactions to any analgesics used. Small areas of skin numbness can be caused by nerve damage, and these are sometimes permanent. Blood clots may form in the veins, a rare but possibly serious problem. Most people have few or no problems and recover without difficulty.
Author: Adam Brochert, MD Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
