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

Treating varicose veins in the legs with medication is not always effective.It is especially difficult to cure varicose veins if they are at an advanced stage.In this case, surgery is the only option to eliminate the disease. Classical phlebectomy, mini-phlebectomy, sclerotherapy and laser vein removal are effective methods to solve the problem of varicose veins.However, not all women who suffer 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, which is why they are afraid to go to the doctor for a long time, relying on some forms of home treatment.Meanwhile, varicose veins progress and the condition worsens.

Will varicose veins “appear” again?Will I have to hide unsightly spots after surgery?Will you really have to wear a special shirt for an entire year after surgery?These and other questions torment women and remain unanswered, and such an operation, 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 complete surgical intervention (with general anesthesia, a long recovery period and return to normal life), but also mini-operations on the veins, which are carried out on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia, and after which a long sick leave is not even necessary.

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 varicose vein removal method on your own;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 hospital and outpatient settings.Each method has its own indications and contraindications, pros and cons.

Classic vein removal surgery

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 the varicose ducts.After surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for several days and then at home for several weeks.The sutures are removed on the 7th to 10th day after surgery;healing time varies individually.

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

Disadvantages include a long recovery period, deterioration of general well-being after surgery and the impossibility of immediately returning to the usual routine (work, driving, long distances on foot), as well as insufficient cosmetic effect that persists for several months.

Mini-phlebectomy

Unlike classic surgery, miniphlebectomy involves removingindividual superficial affected veins through multiple small incisions or perforations.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 microincisions, without stitches,
• the opportunity to immediately return to your usual routine, as well as an excellent cosmetic effect.

After the operation, some complications are possible - bruising 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 vein coagulation) is an innovative, widely used and highly effective method.

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 it can be combined with miniphlebectomy, 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 to 10 days;no stitches are necessary.After the operation, you will be able to live at your usual pace, with virtually no restrictions.

Compared to classic 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, as the classic removal of veins, is possible only after a complete examination of the patient, taking into account all the features of the course of the disease.

Choosing a clinic for varicose vein treatment and surgery

Conservative and surgical treatment of varicose veins is currently carried out in several public and private medical centers.The clinic to which you trust your health must 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 several variants), etc. are performed.It is important that the doctor's choice of method 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 vein 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 obtain a good result.

For doctors clinics that treat varicose veins, the results of therapy and the condition of patients are very important - both in the immediate and late postoperative period.That's 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 small outpatient interventions, any operation requires a period of rehabilitation and careful health care.Therefore, from the first consultation to the end of medical follow-up after the operation, everything must be done recommendations from a phlebologist:

• firstly, wear a medical shirt;Special underwear is worn immediately after surgery, after phlebectomy.In the first two days, as a rule, it is recommended to wear knitwear around the clock.Then, daily use for 3-6 weeks (as recommended by the doctor);
• after endovasal interventions (laser therapy), which are not combined with any other method, compression therapy is not necessary;in the case of a combined operation, use is necessary for one or two months.For the first two days, the meshes are left overnight.
• others recommendations from a phlebologist they relate to physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, control of excess weight and changes in working conditions if prolonged static load on the legs is involved.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 with compression stockings.Remove squats and weightlifting (dumbbells, barbells) from the complex.Also, don't put too much stress on your lower abdomen.

In general, the most important condition for the success of varicose vein correction is the cooperation of the doctor and the patient.Trusting your doctor, following all of his recommendations and subsequently following prevention rules will help maintain the health and beauty of your feet.