Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins, open appearing blue or dark purple. They happen when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to flow in the wrong direction or to pool. More than 23 percent of all adults are thought to be affected by varicose veins.
The veins rarely need treatment for health reasons, but if swelling, aching, and painful legs result, and if there is considerable discomfort, treatment is available. There are various options, including some home remedies.
If the patient has no symptoms or discomfort and is not bothered by the sight of the varicose veins, treatment might not be necessary. However, if there are symptoms, treatment may be required to reduce pain or discomfort, address complications, such as leg ulcers, skin discoloration, or swelling. Some patients may also want treatment for cosmetic reasons - they want to get rid of the "ugly" varicose veins.
If varicose veins are large, they may need to be removed surgically. This is usually done under general anesthesia. In most cases, the patient can go home the same day - if surgery is required on both legs, they may need to spend one night in hospital.
Two incisions are made, one near the patient's groin at the top of the target vein, and the other is made further down the leg, either at the ankle or knee. The top of the vein is fed up and sealed. A thin, flexible wire is threaded through the bottom of the vein and then pulled out, taking the vein with it.
This procedure does not usually require a hospital stay. Ligation and stripping can sometimes result in bruising, bleeding, and pain. In extremely rare occasions, there may be deep vein thrombosis. After surgery, most patients will need 1-3 weeks to recover before going back to work and other normal duties. During recovery period compression stockings are worn.
A chemical is injected into small and medium-sized varicose veins, which scars and closes them. A few weeks later, they should fade. A vein may need to be injected more than once.
A small incision is made either above or below the knee, and with the help of an ultrasound scan; a narrow tube (catheter) is threaded into the vein. The doctor inserts a probe into the catheter, which emits radiofrequency energy heats up the vein, causing its walls to collapse, effectively closing it and sealing it shut. This procedure is preferred for larger varicose veins. Radio Frequency ablation is usually done with a local anesthesia.
A catheter is inserted into the pattient's vein. A small laser is threaded through the catheter and positioned at the top of the target vein; it delivers short energy bursts that heat up the vein, sealing it shut.
With the aid of an ultrasound scan, the doctor threads the laser all the way up the vein, gradually burning and sealing all of it. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. There may be some nerve injury, which is usually brief.
LASER is a shade better than RFL as it produces lesser heat dissipation into the surrounding tissues. This results in lesser discomfort for the patients.
An endoscopic transilluminator (special light) is threaded through an incision under the skin so that the doctor can see which veins need to be taken out. The target veins are cut and removed with a suc on device through the incision.
A general or local anesthesia may be used for this procedure. There may be some bleeding and bruising after the operation. Endo-Venous Laser Ablation (ELVA)