Varicose Vein Removal

Although varicose veins of the lower limbs are a disease that has accompanied a human being since the beginning of history (some say that since our ancestors adopted an upright posture), we can certainly say that we live more often than our ancestors through our modern lifestyle.

Varicose is nothing but swollen, twisted veins, which take on a blue or dark purple colour. They can be rough, twisted or convex. They arise as a result of malfunction of the valves in the veins. The valves in a healthy vein open only to let the blood flow to the heart and immediately close, so that it does not withdraw. When they are weakened or inefficient, they begin to pass blood, regressing under the influence of gravity. This blood then accumulates in the vein and a varicose vein is formed.
It is not fully known what affects the valvular weakness, but doctors have discovered several factors that increase the risk of varicose veins. The first is gender - varicose veins are more common in women than in men. Another factor is age - varices of the lower limbs are more common in people over 40 years of age. Also people who have varicose veins in a close family are also more at risk. The risk of developing varicose veins increases also during pregnancy and in people who perform a job requiring long standing (hairdressers, surgeons, etc.).

There are several methods of treatment, however, in the case of major changes, it may be necessary to remove leg varicose veins. Remember that treatment techniques that are often advertised as inoperable, i.e. cryosurgery (cryo-layering and cryostripping), intravascular high-frequency obliteration, or intravascular laser obliteration, are in fact not a substitute for surgery, but are only its methods.

What is the operation of removing varicose veins of lower limbs?

The surgeon, who performs surgery to remove lower limb varicose veins, must remove the diseased main veins - saphenous or scapular. Two notches are made to the patient - one in the groin (if the insufficient saphenous vein is removed) or under the knee (if the vein is inefficient) and the other in the area of the ankle. Through the first incision, the doctor inserts a probe into the vein (expertly referred to as a stripper) resembling a thread or a thin cable with its shape, which then moves towards the ankle. In the next step the doctor attaches the stripper to the inefficient vein and removes it completely. After removing the main vein, the doctor ties up her smaller bypasses. Although it sounds quite violent, it is contrary to appearances that stripping is usually painless. The treatment lasts about an hour.

Type of anaesthesia during removal of varicose veins

The operation to remove lower limb varices is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia.

The benefits of removing leg varicose veins

• A small surgical trauma
• Short operation time
• Small scars
• Quick convalescence
• Return home even the day after surgery
• Low risk of failure and recurrence of varicose veins

Indications for removal of varicose veins

An indication for the operation of removal of varicose veins is the inability of the venous valves and perforating vessels confirmed by Doppler examination (Doppler Doppler).

Before surgery to remove leg varicose veins

Before a decision is made to perform varicose vexing surgery, a USG Doppler with colour visualization is usually ordered. This examination enables precise viewing of the veins due to their possible damages and is not painful for the patient. These tests allow for a comprehensive assessment of veins, pathology diagnostics and making the right decision regarding the strategy of therapeutic treatment.
It is important to prepare yourself for the operation of removal of varicose veins. The operated limb should be depilated or shaved a few days before or on the day of surgery (you should not epilate or shave a limb the day before the procedure - it increases the risk of skin infection). One day before the procedure and on the day of the procedure, no creams or ointments should be applied to the skin of the legs. The procedure is best to come in loose and comfortable footwear due to the dressing, which usually starts near the toes and occupies the space of the entire shin. Before the surgery, one should also abandon the use of salicylate drugs (aspirin, acard etc.), because they strengthen the formation of hematomas. The day of surgery should be fasting.

Time and course of convalescence

After the surgery to remove varicose veins of the lower limb, hematomas form on the legs, which are absorbed within a few weeks. To accelerate the process of spontaneous disappearance of hematomas, often ointments or creams with heparin are used. Pain after surgery is moderate, the most intensified about 4 days after surgery. The use of ibuprofen or other painkillers is enough to get rid of it. Return to work is possible after about 2-4 weeks after the procedure. During this period the patient receives the recommendation of dismissal from work.

The effects of removal of varicose veins

The surgery to remove varicose veins of the lower limb gives a great cosmetic effect and brings relief associated with the resolution of all ailments resulting from the presence of varicose veins (pain, feeling of heaviness in the legs, tingling, numbness in the legs, etc.).

Recommendations after surgery

In order to obtain a better cosmetic effect and avoid the recurrence of varicose veins, after removing varicose veins of the lower limb it is recommended to wear during the day for 4-6 weeks after performing compression garter.

How to avoid complications

Wounds after removal of varicose veins should be kept clean and disinfected once a day with antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide, octenisept). It is also necessary to change the dressings daily and bandage the leg.

Contraindications for removal of varices of lower limbs

The operation of varicose veins is contraindicated in patients with limb ischemia, thigh occlusion and haemorrhagic diathesis. Pregnant women should only be operated after termination. The operation may be considered in patients with recurrent varicose vein thrombosis, complications of venous disease or with severe ailments. Due to the risk of complications, the procedure is not performed in people with obesity (BMI> 30) or with ulcers and skin wounds.

Possible complications

The latest studies on complications after limb varicose vein surgery indicate that complications other than haematomas occur only in 0.04 percent. (in other words, 1 in 2,500 people) treated with this method. Belong to them:
• local infection (most often in the area of the groin),
• lymphatic complications (leaking of the lymphatic content in the groin or lymphedema, rarely seen),
• neurological complications (lack or weakness of skin sensation over the medial ankle, burning, itching, numbness or neuralgia, usually disappear spontaneously within a few months after surgery, sometimes physical therapy is helpful).

Recommended additional treatments

The operation of removal of leg varicose veins can be extended to include miniflicectomy (removal of pathologically altered veins by means of special hooks through one or two millimetre micro-incisions) and ligation of inefficient venous perforators.