In the past, varicose vein surgery was a very complicated procedure with a long and sometimes painful recovery process. This surgical option, known as vein stripping, required full anesthesia and several incisions to cut the vein and remove pieces of it.
While effective in removing the bulging and damaged veins, this older method of varicose vein surgery also had additional risks. It had the same risk as all surgeries, including the use of anesthesia, as well as bruising, scaring, and the risk of infection in the larger incision sites.
Today’s varicose vein surgery is very different, though. Even with an ambulatory phlebectomy, the removal of the affected veins is considered a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in your vein specialist’s office.
Candidates
This type of varicose vein surgery is not used to treat smaller spider veins; it is done only on the larger, more pronounced and painful varicose veins. Typically, candidates will not be eligible for other options in treatment, or this process is considered to be the most effective and convenient after consultation and evaluation. A patient has to be mobile to be considered for this procedure, as movement is essential to prevent complications after outpatient surgery.
During the evaluation, your doctor will determine if there are any blood clots present in other veins or if there are underlying problems that require immediate treatment.
The Procedure
For the ambulatory phlebectomy, the patient will have local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. Small incisions, some as tiny as 1mm, will be made in the skin along the vein so it can be removed.
While alert and aware, the patient will not feel anything during the procedure. The very small incisions pose a low risk of any type of incision site infection, and complications during the procedure are very rare. Some patients will experience slight bruising at the incision site, though, which is a minor issue to experience while going through outpatient surgery.
And after the procedure, this type of varicose vein surgery will only require the use of compression stockings or compression bandages for one to two weeks or more. Also, patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately after.
While varicose vein surgery is not recommended for all patients, it is now a highly effective treatment option thanks to the new minimally invasive procedures available today. Talking to your vein specialist will help you determine if this or another varicose vein treatment is the best choice to take care of your specific symptoms.
Ambulatory phlebectomy is one option for varicose vein surgery and treatment we offer at Chicago Vein Institute.To meet with our doctors and discuss your treatment options, see us online at website.
