Varicose Veins Surgery

Surgical Treatment for varicose Veins

Varicose Veins Surgery

Diagnosis at CARE Hospitals

Your doctor will perform a physical exam to detect varicose veins, including examining your legs while you're standing to check for swelling. Your doctor may also ask you to explain any leg discomfort or soreness.

You may also require an ultrasound to see whether the valves in your veins are working regularly or if there is evidence of a blood clot. In this non-invasive test, a technician rubs your skin with a tiny hand-held instrument (transducer) roughly the size of a bar of soap over the area of your body being checked. The transducer sends pictures of your legs' veins to a monitor, where a technician and your doctor may observe them.

Causes of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins can result from weak or damaged valves in the veins. After arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, veins are responsible for returning that blood to the heart. The veins in the legs face the challenge of working against gravity to accomplish this.

Inside the veins, one-way valves open to allow blood to flow through and then close to prevent backward flow. When these valves are weak or damaged, blood can back up and accumulate in the veins, leading to swelling.

Weak valves can stem from weakened vein walls. When vein walls lose their normal elasticity, they become similar to an overstretched rubber band. This causes the veins to lengthen and widen, which can result in the separation of the valve flaps.

When the flaps of the valves separate, blood can flow backward. This backflow fills the veins, further stretching their walls. Consequently, the veins become larger, swell, and often twist as they attempt to fit into their usual space.

Treatment at CARE Hospitals

Fortunately, therapy does not always include a hospital stay or a protracted, painful rehabilitation. Varicose veins may usually be treated on an outpatient basis thanks to less intrusive methods.

Check with your doctor to see whether your insurance will cover any of your therapy fees. If done for simply aesthetic reasons, you'll almost certainly have to pay for varicose vein therapy yourself.

Self-care

• Exercise, decreasing weight, avoiding tight clothing, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting can all help to relieve pain and prevent varicose veins from worsening.
• Stockings with compression: Compression stockings worn all day are a frequent first step before moving on to further treatments. They offer steady pressure to your legs, helping blood to circulate more effectively via your veins and leg muscles. The amount of compression varies based on the sort and brand. Most pharmacies and medical supply businesses carry compression stockings. 
• If self-care and compression stockings do not work, or if your disease is severe, your doctor may recommend one of the following varicose vein treatments:
• Sclerotherapy: Your doctor uses a solution or foam to inject into small and medium-sized varicose veins, scarring and shutting them. In a few weeks, varicose veins that have been treated should disappear. Sclerotherapy is effective when conducted properly, even though the same vein may need to be injected many times. Sclerotherapy does not require an anaesthetic and can be done at the convenience of your doctor's office.
• Large vein sclerotherapy using foam: Injection of a big vein with a foam solution is another option for closing and sealing a vein.
• Treatment using a Laser: Doctors are employing new laser technology to shut off tiny varicose and spider veins. Laser therapy works by directing intense bursts of light at the vein, causing it to diminish and vanish over time. There are no incisions or needles utilised.
• Radiofrequency or laser energy is used in catheter-assisted operations. In one of these procedures, your doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein and uses radiofrequency or laser radiation to heat the catheter's tip. The heat from the catheter kills the vein by forcing it to collapse and seal shut. For bigger varicose veins, this is the preferable therapy.
• Vein Stripping and High Ligation: This surgery entails tying off a vein before it connects to a deep vein and then removing the vein using minor incisions. For the most part, this is an outpatient procedure. Removing the vein will not prevent blood from circulating in your leg since bigger amounts of blood are handled by veins deeper in the leg.
• Ambulatory Phlebectomy- Smaller varicose veins are removed by your doctor through a series of minor skin punctures. This outpatient technique numbs only the areas of your leg that are being poked. In most cases, scarring is mild.

How to Prevent Varicose Veins

While genetics can influence your risk of developing varicose veins, there are several preventive measures you can take:

• Exercise regularly: Staying active helps keep your leg muscles toned, improves blood circulation, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
• Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can enhance blood flow and reduce pressure on your leg and foot veins.
• Avoid tight clothing: Wearing tight garments can restrict blood flow in the waist, groin, or legs.
• Avoid high-heeled shoes: Prolonged use of high heels can hinder circulation. Opting for flat or low-heeled shoes can enhance circulation by improving calf muscle tone.
• Keep moving: Try not to sit or stand still for extended periods. If your job involves being on your feet all day, consider wearing support hose or compression stockings. Take breaks to walk, stretch, and exercise your legs to boost circulation and alleviate pressure. When sitting, elevate your feet and frequently change your position to enhance blood flow.

What complications can happen?

Complications stemming from any surgical procedure can be severe, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes. These complications can be categorized into general and specific ones associated with the operation.

General complications include:

• Excessive bleeding during or after the surgery.
• Infection of the surgical site (wound).
• Allergic reactions to equipment, materials, or medications used during the procedure.
• Formation of blood clots in your leg or lung.
• Development of a chest infection.

Specific complications related to this particular operation encompass:

• The formation of a lump beneath the incision if your surgeon made a cut in your groin.
• Numbness or a tingling sensation.
• Nerve damage.
• Persistent varicose veins.
• Emergence of thread veins.
• Swelling in your leg.
• Significant injury to the primary arteries, veins, or nerves in your leg.

The consequences of undergoing this procedure may include:

• Pain.
• The possibility of unsightly scarring on your skin.

Home Cures & Way of Life

There are certain self-care actions you may do to alleviate the discomfort caused by varicose veins. These same precautions can also help prevent or delay the development of varicose veins. They are as follows:

• Exercise. Get your feet moving - Walking is a wonderful way to increase your leg blood circulation. Your doctor may advise you on what level of activity is appropriate for you.
• Keep an eye on your weight and your nutrition. Weight loss relieves unnecessary strain on your veins. What you consume can also assist. To avoid oedema caused by water retention, eat a low-salt diet.
• Take care with what you wear. High heels should be avoided. Low-heeled shoes put greater strain on the calf muscles, which is excellent for your veins. Wearing clothing that is too tight around your waist, legs, or groin might restrict blood flow.
• Raise your legs. Take numerous brief pauses each day to lift your legs above the level of your heart to promote circulation in your legs. Lay down with your legs supported up on three or four pillows, for example.
• Sitting or standing for long periods of time should be avoided. Make it a point to change positions often to promote blood flow.

Alternative health care

Though not well researched, a variety of alternative therapies claim to be effective treatments for chronic venous insufficiency, a disease linked with varicose veins in which leg veins have difficulty sending blood to the heart. Among these treatments are:

• Chestnut horse
• A butcher's broom
• The grape (leaves, sap, seed, and fruit)
• The sweet clover

Before attempting any herb or dietary supplement, consult with your doctor to ensure that these items are safe and will not conflict with any prescriptions.

Getting ready for your appointment

You won't need to do anything special to get ready for your appointment. To diagnose varicose veins and determine the best therapy for your issue, your doctor will need to examine your bare legs and feet.

Your basic care physician may refer you to a specialist who specialises in vein issues (phlebologist), a vascular surgeon, or a dermatologist (dermatologist or dermatology surgeon). In the meanwhile, there are some things you can do to prepare for your visit and start practising self-care.

Varicose Veins Stages

Varicose veins may not be a significant issue if they are purely cosmetic. However, if left untreated, they can worsen and lead to complications such as ulcers, bleeding, and skin discoloration.

In some cases, varicose veins can progress to more serious conditions like chronic venous insufficiency, which indicates that the veins in your legs are damaged and not functioning properly.

Venous diseases are categorized using the CEAP classification system (Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological), which assesses the severity of vein issues. The categories are:

• C0: No visible signs of venous disease
• C1: Presence of telangiectasia (spider veins) or reticular veins (larger versions of spider veins)
• C2: Visible varicose veins
• C3: Edema (swelling caused by fluid retention in body tissues)
• C4: Changes in the skin and subcutaneous tissue (underlying tissue)
• C4a: Skin pigmentation or eczema
• C4b: Lipodermatosclerosis (inflammation of fat tissue under the skin) or atrophie blanche (scarring from poor blood supply and delayed healing)
• C5: Healed venous ulcer (a wound from vein-related issues that has healed)
• C6: Active venous ulcer (a wound from vein problems that is still present)

Who is at risk of getting varicose veins?

People who are at risk of getting varicose veins include:

• Older Adults: As you age, your veins lose elasticity, making varicose veins more likely.
• Women: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal treatments can increase the risk.
• Pregnant Women: Increased blood volume and hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to varicose veins.
• Overweight Individuals: Extra weight puts more pressure on the veins in the legs.
• People with a Family History: If your parents or siblings have varicose veins, you are more likely to develop them too.
• Individuals with Sedentary Lifestyles: Sitting or standing for long periods can hinder blood flow and increase risk.

What you could do

Make a list of the following:

• Your symptoms, including those that appear unrelated to varicose veins, as well as the date they began
• Important personal information, such as a family history of varicose or spider veins
• All medications, vitamins, and supplements you use, as well as the doses

How soon will I recover?

• You can typically expect to be discharged on the same day or possibly the following day after the procedure. 
• Returning to work will depend on the nature of your job, but for many people, resuming work can usually occur within a few days. 
• Once your surgical wounds have fully healed, you should be able to engage in your usual daily activities as long as you feel comfortable doing so. 
• Incorporating regular exercise into your routine can help speed up your return to normal activities, and it's advisable to seek guidance from your healthcare team or your general practitioner before starting an exercise regimen. The majority of individuals tend to make a complete recovery.