Why Would You Need Varicose Vein Surgery

Varicose veins occur when your veins become swollen, enlarged and dilated. Varicose veins are painful, and they appear red or bluish-purple. This condition is more common in women. Varicose veins mainly occur on your lower legs because of pressure created in the veins by walking and standing. You should contact a vascular doctor near you if you experience symptoms of varicose veins as you may require vascular surgery.

 Symptoms of varicose veins

• Dark purple or blue veins.
• Bulging and twisted veins that look like cords.
• Pain that worsens after standing or sitting.
• Muscle cramping, swelling and throbbing in your lower legs.
• Itching in the varicose veins.

Causes of varicose veins

The leading cause of varicose veins is the inability of your veins to function properly. When the valves in your veins do not function properly, blood begins to accumulate in your veins rather than flow to the heart. As a result, your veins enlarge and become swollen. Varicose veins mainly occur in your legs because gravity makes it difficult for the blood in your legs to move upwards correctly. Varicose veins are also caused by menopause, pregnancy, and obesity. This condition is generally seen in people who are over 50 years of age or people who have a family history of varicose veins and stand for long periods suffer from this condition.

Why would you need varicose vein surgery?

If you have varicose veins, you will first be advised to use compression stockings. The function of these stockings is to put pressure on the swollen veins to pump the accumulated blood back to the heart. A Vascular surgeon near you will consider a varicose vein surgery in these cases:

• When general measures such as compressions, stockings don't give you relief from pain and other symptoms of varicose veins. Wearing a compression stocking for a prolonged period can be uncomfortable. It can also cause discomfort during warm weather. For this reason, doctors in many countries prescribe a compression stocking only when you don't want to have an operation to remove the varicose veins.
• If you develop complications such as venomous leg ulcers or skin sores from varicose veins.
• If you have bleeding from your veins near your skin’s surface.
• If you have blood clots or thrombophlebitis.
• Your doctor might also suggest varicose vein surgery if you find the appearance of your varicose veins very disturbing.

Surgical procedures for varicose veins

If your condition becomes worse even after wearing compression stockings or taking proper self-care, the vascular surgeon near you will consider varicose vein surgery. Your doctor will recommend any of the following vascular surgery for you.

• Sclerotherapy: In this procedure, a foam solution is injected into your varicose veins and when they are closed. Sclerotherapy is done without anaesthesia, and the varicose veins usually fade within a few weeks before treatment. Sclerotherapy is effective in treating varicose veins if it is done properly. In sclerotherapy, sometimes the same veins need to be injected several times.
• Foam Sclerotherapy of large veins: Even large varicose veins can be closed after injecting foam.
• Catheter-assisted procedure: In this procedure, a thin tube or catheter is put inside your enlarged veins. Then, laser radiation or radio-frequency is used to heat the tip of the catheter. The heat will help in collapsing the enlarged varicose veins. Catheter assisted procedure is the best option to treat varicose veins.
• High ligation and vein stripping: In this procedure, a vein is cut off using minor incisions before connecting to other deep veins. Removing a small affected varicose vein does not affect blood flow as there are deeper veins in the legs that help in blood circulation.
• Ambulatory phlebectomy: In this surgical procedure, small veins are removed by making small punctures on your skin. This surgery is conducted as outpatient treatment.
• Endoscopic vein surgery: A vascular surgeon near you will only conduct an endoscopic vein surgery when other options for treating your varicose veins have failed. It is recommended for leg ulcers and sores. Your surgeon will make small incisions in your leg and insert a camera. With the help of the video camera, your doctor will close the affected veins.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Call 18605002244