Conservative treatment methods are only effective in the early stages of varicose veins.And since the first signs are usually not taken care of, the pathology continues to develop, reducing the effectiveness of the drugs used.If symptoms worsen significantly, the only option to remove varicose veins is surgery.A special place is occupied by rehabilitation, which requires patients to comply with medical recommendations.
Indications for surgery
If varicose veins are present, surgical treatment is prescribed in certain cases.
In particular, surgical intervention is indicated for patients with:
- extensive vascular damage, which can be determined by visual inspection;
- Symptoms in the form of swelling, constant pain and heaviness;
- Significant risk of thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.
Varicose vein surgery is appropriate when the use of drugs does not bring the desired results.It is important to prevent the disease from progressing to the point where surgical treatment is futile.
For some patients, surgery for varicose veins on the legs may be contraindicated.
Contraindications
Surgery in the last stage is often inappropriate;Therefore, varicose veins are treated with various drugs.They help to slightly reduce the severity of the disease, but they cannot eliminate it completely.
Patients suffering from:
- Inflammatory skin diseases 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 (history);
- Destroys atherosclerosis of the vessels in the lower part.
Surgical treatment to eliminate varicose veins is contraindicated in patients over 70, and also in pregnant women.
Prepare for surgery
A consultation with a phlebologist will help you prepare for the upcoming surgical treatment.The patient has the right to ask any question that interests him about the operation.
You should also describe the symptoms present accurately, talk about the possibility of intolerance to certain medicines, and make sure to inform about the medicines you are taking.
The attending physician referred the patient to undergo several diagnostic procedures:
- blood and urine tests;
- fluorography;
- electrocardiography;
- duplex sonography.
The preparatory stage requires compliance with certain conditions:
- 3 days before surgery, the patient must adhere to a slag-free diet, that is, fried, salty, spicy, as well as meat and flour products are prohibited.
- The last food and fluid intake is 8 hours before surgery.
- For at least 3 days, you should forget about alcohol and cigarettes.
- You need to remove the hair from the leg where the operation will be done, and you should use a razor.
- If there are ulcers, hematomas or any damage to the skin, you must tell your doctor.
If the patient drives a car, he should arrange for someone close or familiar to pick him up after discharge.Now prohibited to drive.
When preparing for surgery, the patient is interested in what kind of surgical intervention is indicated for him and how much such treatment costs.If the patient is scheduled for vein surgery, the price is influenced by many factors: the degree of the disease, the length of the vessel affected by the varicose vein, anesthesia, etc.
Methods to remove varicose veins
Since there are many types of surgical treatment for varicose veins, the choice of a specific technique is made based on diagnostic data.In some cases, the venous vessels are partially or completely removed, in others, the deformed veins caused by varicose veins are sealed or narrowed using special materials.
Phlebectomy
A type of surgical treatment in which the area of blood vessels where varicose veins are present is removed.After removal, blood movement will be carried out through deep veins.
This operation is carried out as follows:
- After anesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon makes a small incision (up to 5 mm).
- The vein is removed using a special probe, after which the affected area is saved.
The duration of phlebectomy is 1-2 hours.Subsequently, a small scar remains at the operated site.
Microphlebectomy
An excellent alternative to the previous method.The essence of this technique is that there is no need to make 5 mm incisions.A small needle is enough to perform all the necessary manipulations with the vein.In addition, recovery in this case is much faster, and there are no scars left.
All types of operations performed to eliminate varicose veins of the legs go smoothly and cause any complications in very rare cases.
Thanks to this puncture technique, it is possible to get rid of large varicose veins.
Stripping
It is a type of phlebectomy.With its help, the trunk of the great saphenous vein is removed.The surgeon removes the vessels affected by varicose veins through a small incision, using a special probe.An incision is made in the area of the inguinal fold and ankle on the inside.
Stripping takes place:
- partially- Only part of the venous vessel is removed;
- Amount- The diseased vein is stretched along with its small branches.
Carrying out such manipulations requires maximum care from the doctor.If at least one disorganized tributary remains, the risk of relapse increases significantly.
Sclerotherapy
This is a surgery to remove progressive varicose veins, which is minimally invasive and does not require any incisions.The surgeon's action is aimed at narrowing the lumen of the diseased vessel until it disappears completely.
To do this, sclerosant is injected into the vein.This drug promotes irreversible damage to the vessel wall with the subsequent growth of the lumen.
Usually drugs specially designed for this purpose are used.
Sclerotherapy has several advantages:
- This procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis;
- The patient is allowed to return to daily activities the following day;
- does not require general anesthesia;
- No scars after surgery.
A negative point is the possibility of re-formation of varicose veins.This disease can affect the veins located next to the injected sclerosant.Up to 10 injections are performed in one procedure, and the treatment duration is about an hour.
It should be said about the types of sclerotherapy:
- Foam.The medicine used, in contact with air, forms a foam, which fills the cavity of the vessel.The closure of the lumen occurs in a short time, and even a small amount of sclerosant is enough.In addition, to obtain satisfactory results, 1-2 procedures are carried out, in which the foam is injected a maximum of 3 times.
- Microsclerotherapy.This technique is suitable in the early stages of the disease.
- Echosclerosis.Prescribed for deep vein wounds.The injection is performed using an ultrasound scanner, which makes it possible to accurately distinguish the injection site of the sclerosant, accurately determine the amount of the drug and avoid unwanted consequences.
The manipulations performed are practically painless, and subsequently the patient recovers quickly.
Laser freezing
The method of treating varicose veins, called endovenous laser coagulation (endovasal) (destruction), involves the use of a special device - an LED laser.
It is injected into the affected vein, and thanks to its radiation, the inner surface of the vessel is welded together.Blood continues to circulate through healthy veins, and the patient's well-being improves.
Advantages of Laser Freezing:
- the absence of scars and age spots on the skin;
- carried out on an outpatient basis for 1-2 hours;
- Local anesthesia is used;
- Manipulation is performed under the control of an ultrasound machine;
- short recovery period.
The success of the operation can finally be evaluated after 3 months.The use of lasers guarantees complete relief from the disease without the risk of recurrence.
Recovery period after vein removal
After surgery, the patient must follow certain rules, which will minimize the risk of complications and speed up recovery:
- Wearing compression stockings is recommended.The attending physician will help with the choice.In the beginning (about 5 days), the pants are not removed before going to bed, and then their use is only allowed during the day.
- To support blood vessels, alcohol and smoking should be prohibited, because nicotine and alcohol are one of the most common causes of varicose veins.
- You should refrain from excessive physical activity.Even minor injuries to the lower leg pose a danger.If the patient previously liked sports, he can return to exercise after 1.5-2 months.
- To avoid relapse, the water procedure should not be hot.Sauna, steam bath and solarium are contraindicated.
- Cosmetic procedures should not be performed in the operated area.
- It is useful for doing therapeutic exercises.
To prevent varicose veins from returning after surgery, during the recovery period, you need to take medications prescribed by your doctor to help the vessels recover.It is undesirable to change the dosage of medicines at your own discretion, which is fraught with undesirable consequences.If any signs of deterioration appear, it is important to immediately see a phlebologist.
The type of surgical intervention is determined depending on the individual characteristics of the disease.
Possible complications after surgery
No specialist can guarantee the complete absence of side effects after surgery.Complications may occur depending on the surgical treatment method used.
Phlebectomy and stripping can result in:
- numbness in lower legs;
- decreased skin sensitivity;
- Pain Syndrome;
- bleeding;
- hematoma;
- suppuration of the operated area.
After sclerotherapy, the following may appear:
- swelling of ankles and feet;
- pigmentation;
- peeling and itching;
- painful sensations;
- Skin burns.
If a laser LED is used, the formation of:
- inflammation;
- darkening of skin areas;
- small bruises;
- 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 relatively low.
Thanks to surgical treatment, it is possible to successfully get rid of serious diseases.The main thing is to find a qualified specialist and not ignore medical recommendations regarding the recovery period.