Treatment of varicose veins.Classic phlebectomy, laser treatment.What to choose?

Treatment of varicose veins on the legs with medications is not always effective.It is especially difficult to cure varicose veins if they are in an advanced stage.In this case, surgery is the only option to eliminate the disease. Classic phlebectomy, mini-phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, laser vein removal are effective methods for solving the problem of varicose veins.However, not all women suffering from varicose veins immediately decide on one of them.Fear of the surgeon and the operating room, fear of general anesthesia and complications stop patients, so they are afraid to go to the doctor for a long time, relying on some home forms of treatment.Meanwhile, varicose veins progress and the condition worsens.

Will varicose veins “pop out” again?Will I have to hide unsightly stitches after surgery?Will you really have to wear special jersey for a whole year after surgery?These and other questions torment women and remain unanswered, and such an operation, which is necessary for the health of the legs, is postponed for months, and often for years.But today, not only classic phlebectomy is performed, which is a full-fledged surgical intervention (with general anesthesia, a long period of recovery and return to normal life), but also mini-operations on the veins, which are performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia, and after which a long sick leave is not even required.

Choosing a treatment method for varicose veins

Any of the listed operations, be it classic phlebectomy, mini-phlebectomy, laser or sclerotherapy, is prescribed by the doctor taking into account the stage of varicose veins of the lower extremities and the patient’s condition.You cannot choose the method of removing varicose veins on your own; it is determined by the doctor after examination:

• Duplex scanning of vessels (veins) of the lower extremities is universal and informative,
• X-ray contrast venography and computed tomography methods are rarely used in complex diagnostic cases.

Features of surgical methods for treating varicose veins

Various types of operations are widely practiced in inpatient and outpatient settings.Each method has its own indications and contraindications, pros and cons.

Classic vein removal surgery

Quite often the attending physician chooses classic phlebectomy.

The operation is performed under anesthesia (general or spinal).During the operation, the great saphenous vein is removed along with varicose ducts.After surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for several days, then at home for several weeks.Sutures are removed on the 7-10th day after surgery; healing time varies individually.

Advantage classic phlebectomy is highly effective in the treatment of moderate and severe varicose veins.The technique has been used for many decades, has proven itself successfully and has allowed millions of patients to maintain healthy legs.

Disadvantages include a long recovery period, deterioration in general well-being after surgery and the inability to immediately return to your usual routine (work, driving, long walking distances), as well as insufficient cosmetic effect that persists for several months.

Mini-phlebectomy

Unlike classical surgery, mini-phlebectomy involves removingindividual superficial affected veins through multiple small incisions or punctures.The surgeon uses small special instruments (hooks, mini-scalpels).The intervention is carried out at different stages of the disease and can be combined with other methods (laser removal, sclerotherapy).

Advantages of the method:

• outpatient surgery, being under the supervision of doctors for several hours after the procedure,
• local anesthesia,
• rapid healing of punctures and micro-incisions, no stitches,
• the opportunity to immediately return to your usual routine, as well as an excellent cosmetic effect.

After the operation, some complications are possible - hematomas in the area of incisions and punctures, discoloration of the skin in the area of the operated veins, but in general these risks are minimal.

Laser removal

Laser removal of varicose veins (endovasal laser coagulation of veins) is an innovative method that is widely used and highly effective.

During an intravascular (endovasal) operation, a small incision or puncture is made in the skin: under ultrasound guidance, a long light guide is inserted through a catheter into a vein.Through it, a laser beam acts on the walls of the vein, “gluing” them together.

The advantage of this method is to perform the operation on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia. Laser removal of varicose veins can be combined with mini-phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, and provides an excellent cosmetic effect, which is very important for women of any age.The catheter insertion site is sealed with a special plaster, which is removed after 8-10 days; no stitches are required.After the operation, you can live at your usual pace, with virtually no restrictions.

Compared with classical phlebectomy laser vein removal for varicose veins considered less traumatic and safe.

But it is worth noting that the method is not considered universal for treating patients with varicose veins (like any other).Carrying out such an operation, like classic vein removal, is possible only after a full examination of the patient, taking into account all the features of the course of the disease.

Choosing a clinic for the treatment of varicose veins and surgery

Conservative and surgical treatment of varicose veins is carried out today in many public and private medical centers.The clinic to which you entrust your health should have a serious reputation and experienced doctors who are proficient in various methods of vein surgery.

In high-tech operating rooms, classical phlebectomy, mini-phlebectomy, sclerotherapy (in various variants), etc. are performed. It is important that the choice of method by the doctor is always strictly justified by the clinical picture and is discussed with the patient, the pros and cons of the methods, the risks of consequences and possible complications are explained.For example, in varicose veins treatment clinic It is not always advisable to use minimally invasive (“easy”) techniques.Contraindications for this: severe varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, blood clotting disorders and others.In this case, a combined operation is performed to achieve a good result.

For doctors clinics treating varicose veins, the results of therapy and the condition of patients are very important - both in the early and late postoperative period.That is why surgeons are always in touch and ready to answer any questions of interest to operated patients.

Advice from a phlebologist

Despite the choice of surgical techniques for removing varicose veins and the possibility of minor outpatient interventions, any operation requires a rehabilitation period and careful attention to one’s health.Therefore, from the very first appointment until the end of medical supervision after the operation, you need to do everything recommendations from a phlebologist:

• first of all, wearing medical jersey;special underwear is worn immediately after surgery, after phlebectomy.The first two days, as a rule, it is recommended to wear knitwear around the clock.Next, daily wear for 3-6 weeks (according to the doctor’s indications);
• after endovasal interventions (laser therapy), which are not combined with any other methods, compression therapy is not necessary; in the case of a combined operation, wearing is required for a month or two.For the first two days, the knitwear is left overnight.
• other recommendations from a phlebologist relate to physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, control of excess weight and changes in working conditions if it involves prolonged static load on the legs.You need to walk every day for 40-60 minutes.You can add special exercises to your daily walks to strengthen your veins and blood vessels.During the first two months after surgery, perform all physical exercises wearing compression stockings.Remove squats and weight lifting (dumbbells, barbells) from the complex.Also, do not put a lot of stress on your lower abdomen.

In general, the most important condition for successful correction of varicose veins is the cooperation of the doctor and the patient.Trusting your doctor, following all his recommendations and subsequently following the rules of prevention helps to maintain the health and beauty of your feet.