Treatment options for varicose veins
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PrintNow that you know what varicose veins are and what the symptoms can be, let's talk about what the treatment options are.
First you must decided, "Do these veins bother me enough that I want to have surgery to remove them?" If your answer is yes, then continue to read on. If you decide that you don't want to have a procedure, but want to try to prevent them from getting worse or prevent more from popping out, then you best bet is compression stockings.
Compression stockings work by putting pressure on the muscles that surround the veins in the legs which then increases the blood flow return to the heart. Wear them daily, putting them on as soon as you get out of bed and taking them off when you lay down at night
Sclerotherapy
This is a process where “polidocanol”, a soapy solution, is injected with a small needle into the tiny spider veins causing them to scar and close. The solution is safe and reabsorbed into the body naturally. This procedure causes minimal pain, requires no anesthetic, and patients may return to normal activities immediately. It usually requires two or more sessions and patients can expect a 50-80% improvement in
appearance after a few weeks.
Stab Phlebectomy
Is a minor surgical procedure which removes varicose veins through a small puncture site with a small hook. Sutures are usually not required, there is minimal scarring and patients may return to daily activities the next day. This procedure is done in surgery under anesthesia, but in some cases, where only a few veins are present; this can be done in the office with local anesthesia
VNUS tm Closure
This is a minimally invasive technique preformed under anesthesia that uses a small catheter to heat and scar the diseased vein, closing it permanently. Once the diseased vein is closed, neighboring healthy veins take over and reroute the blood flow of the legs. After the VNUS closure procedure, in most cases, the patient may return to work the next day.
Vein Stripping
This is a more invasive procedure only used when the VNUS procedure is not applicable. It requires an incision at the groin and knee or at the ankle where the vein is completely removed or “stripped” from the leg. With the vein completely removed, varicosities disappear and the blood uses an alternate route to return to the heart. Patients return to work after several days and require compression stockings for a minimum of one week.
All the treatment options above are performed on an outpatient basis and the patient may go home the same day of the procedure.
The above information was provided by Surgery Specialists of Green Bay.
Each of the following physicians can and do perform procedures listed above for correction of varicose veins. Feel free to contact them by phone to schedule an evaluation or to visit their websites.
Surgery Specialists of Green Bay (Free vein screening on July 28th)
Dr. Cindy Geocaris
Dr. Tom Geocaris
Dr. Marcelo Grazziotin
http://www.surgeryspecialistsofgb.com/
920-438-7155
General & Vascular Consultants
Dr. Richard McNutt
http://www.gvcons.com/
920-965-7411
General and Vascular Surgery of Green Bay
Dr Stewart Gifford
920-433-7463
