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Varicose veins are an aesthetic defect for many people, but it must not be forgotten that they are primarily a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency. Treatment should begin with in-depth diagnostics aimed at diagnosing the causes of the symptoms. The next step is to get rid of the changes that have already appeared. Below we describe the methods of removing varicose veins.
Non-invasive methods of treating varicose veins
Recent years in medicine have brought the development of minimally invasive treatment techniques for many diseases. One of the ailments that you can get rid of without a scalpel is leg varicose veins. Here are the most popular low-invasive ways to remove them:
Laser therapy
The so-called laser vein ablation, considered by many to be the gold standard, is one of the least invasive and at the same time the most popular methods of treating varicose veins. The treatment involves thermal damage to the diseased veins. The increase in temperature is achieved due to the intravascular emission of laser pulses that affect the varicose wall.
Thermal damage to the vessel wall leads to shrinkage and development of local inflammation and blood coagulation in the lumen of the varicose vein. As a consequence, it causes its fibrosis, and then irreversible atresia of the diseased vessel. In the last phase, it is gradually absorbed by the surrounding tissues. The procedure takes several dozen minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.
Read more: What is laser varicose veins removal?
Water vapor SVS (Steam Vein Sclerosis)
One of the most modern methods of treating varicose veins is steam removal. Like the laser, it also allows the closure of diseased veins. How? The energy is transferred here via pure water, supplied in micro doses in the form of steam. For this purpose, a thin catheter is used, which is inserted into the vessels through a cannula.
The big advantage of this method is the fact that all varicose veins can be completely closed during one treatment. Moreover, water vapor avoids the risk of an allergic reaction that could occur after the introduction of a chemical substance. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and the patient can go home 2 hours after its completion.
Radio waves
Removal of varicose veins with radio waves is another innovative technique that allows you to get rid of diseased vessels. The procedure performed using this method consists in inserting a catheter emitting high-frequency radio waves into the lumen of the varicose veins. Their energy leads to venous ablation, which also happens during the laser procedure. High temperature causes the closure and contraction of the varicose veins, and finally – its absorption by the adjacent tissues. The procedure with the use of radio waves takes about an hour, and the patient can return home usually 60 minutes after its completion.
See alsoEdema – causes, symptoms, treatment and types of edema
Surgical methods of removing varicose veins
Surgical methods are used both to remove minor varicose veins and those at an advanced stage.
Classic surgery for varicose veins (stripping)
Surgical removal of inadequate veins (stripping) is usually used in the advanced stages of the disease. There are three types of this operation:
- Babcock stripping method, where the surgeon exposes the ends of the saphenous vein in the groin and the medial ankle area and ligates the end of the vein in the groin (where it enters the femoral vein). Then, through the end near the ankle, he inserts the probe with a hook, pulls it along the entire length of the vein, cuts off its tied ends, ties it to the probe and in the last stage – pulls it out;
- stripping methodą la Piverte’a (kriostripping) – here, instead of the classic probe, a probe cooled to -80 degrees Celsius is used. As a result, the ends of the saphenous vein do not have to be tied as they freeze to the probe. This makes the operation shorter and the risk of hematoma formation is lower;
- stripping vein stripping is a procedure similar to the methods described above, but it concerns the saphenous vein, not the saphenous vein. Due to the large number of variants of the course of this vessel and the difficulty in locating its ends, the operation in this way is the least frequent.
The operation of varicose veins is performed under spinal anesthesia, less often under general anesthesia. After its completion, the patient must remain in the hospital for observation.
- What does general anesthesia look like?
Miniflebektomia
The so-called crocheting of veins is a procedure that often serves as a complement to the removal of varicose veins by other methods, e.g. sclerotherapy or steam. The procedure consists in cutting out the diseased, inefficient vessels with the use of special surgical awls. Miniphlebectomy works great in removing varicose veins of large diameter, and its advantage is the fact that it leaves small scars. Another advantage of the procedure is that it can be performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Cruroscopy
The purpose of cruroscopy is closure of piercing veins. As a result, the connections between the deep and superficial systems are disconnected, which causes changes in blood circulation. When there is less of it in the surface vessels, swelling and pain are reduced. Due to the improvement of regenerative processes within ulcers resulting from the disease, cruroscopy is used primarily in advanced forms of venous insufficiency (along with the removal of abnormally functioning superficial veins). The procedure is performed with the use of specially designed tools. This requires making small cuts. The most commonly used anesthesia is lumbar anesthesia, less often – general anesthesia.
Chemical and mechanical methods of varicose veins removal
The last group of treatments aimed at the removal of varicose veins are chemical and mechanical methods.
Sclerotherapy
One of the most popular methods of removing varicose veins. It consists in injecting a special substance called sclerosant into the lumen of diseased veins. Under its influence, the vein contracts and varicose veins overgrow. Finally, they are completely absorbed. After each injection, the doctor removes the needle from the vessel and massages the area. The whole process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Sclerotherapy is most effective in removing small varicose veins. It happens that in order to achieve satisfactory results, it is necessary to carry out a series of treatments at intervals of several weeks.
ClariVein Method
The ClariVein treatment combines the advantages of mechanical and chemical ablation. This is a relatively new method that involves inserting a special catheter into the lumen of the varicose veins. Its rotating movement causes controlled irritation of the diseased vein, which, in combination with the injection of sclerotizing solution, leads to its closure. The course of the procedure is monitored using an ultrasound machine. The procedure usually takes no more than 20 minutes, and thanks to the fact that no cuts are required, no scars are left behind.
Check: Medicines for varicose veins – how to get rid of ailments?
Gluing varicose veins
Gluing varicose veins is the endovascular sealing of the diseased vessel by the use of a special tissue glue. It is introduced into the vein through a special dispenser. Gluing systems for varicose veins, such as, for example, VenaBlock, are used primarily to close the saphenous or saphenous vein. The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance, and right after its completion, the patient can return to their daily activities.
Phlebogriff method
The Flebogrif method also combines mechanical action with the chemical properties of a sclerosant. During this procedure, a special catheter is inserted into the inefficient vein, equipped with retractable cutting elements that damage the inner layer of the vein. At the same time, a sclerotizing substance is administered. Both of these actions close the lumen of the varicose veins. The Flebogrif procedure is performed under local anesthesia, under ultrasound guidance. The procedure usually takes no more than 30 minutes, and the patient can return to his daily activities immediately after its completion.
Which varicose veins removal method should you choose?
The choice of the appropriate method of varicose veins removal depends primarily on the severity of the disease and the general health of the patient. Various techniques are often combined in one treatment for the best possible results. If you are wondering which method is best for you, make an appointment with a vascular surgeon.
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