The appearance of varicose veins is due to circulatory problems, causing swelling and dilation of the veins. In general, it is a problem that worsens over time, the size of the veins increases, giving rise to the appearance of complications such as phlebitis, alteration of the skin and its colour, thrombosis or bleeding. The longer it takes to carry out a treatment; the degree of the varicose vein is greater and requires surgical intervention.
Patients and specialists resort to varicose vein surgery for medical and cosmetic reasons because they are visible through the skin. Although there are cases of varicose veins that do not present any symptoms, the most common are tired legs, swelling, edema, cramps, itching and skin changes.
In addition to cosmetic issues, specialists resort to surgery for medical reasons. Avoiding the aggravation of varicose veins and other complications such as:
- Haemorrhages from varicose veins: A bleeding can occur when the varicose vein breaks as it cannot withstand more pressure.
- Pigmentation and skin disorders: It is the most common. Over time varicose veins become increasingly visible through the skin, and the area is more sensitive and prone to the formation of ulcers.
- Varicothrombosis: This is the formation of clots that prevent the proper circulation of blood in the veins.
- Phlebitis: Due to the formation of clots or thrombi, the veins become inflamed.
- Venous ulcers: As the appearance and size of the varicose veins worsen, small sores may appear on the skin that worsens until they become ulcers.
What Doctor Treats Varicose Veins
The routine surgery for treating the most serious varicose veins is saphenectomy or complete vein stripping. This intervention removes the internal or external saphenous veins because they are the veins in which varicose veins usually form.
Before performing the intervention, the patient will undergo a preoperative analysis. The varicose veins and their location will be examined to determine the type of treatment applied.
On the day of the intervention, the patient goes to the hospital. He will deliver the corresponding documentation in admissions to be then accompanied to a pre-surgical room, where he will be instructed to put on the operating room clothes. After that, he will go to the surgical room, and the intervention will begin.
Once inside the operating room and after administering anaesthesia, the surgery begins:
- The surgeon disinfects the area to be operated on, having shaved it if necessary.
- The remaining vein at the top is tied off, preventing bleeding.
- After the ligation, a thin and flexible cable called a phleboextractor is inserted. The affected vein is dragged until it is extracted through the lower incision (ankle or knee). At the end of the extraction of the affected saphenous veins, the secondary veins detected as diseased are extracted by means of microsurgery.
- It is a slightly aggressive surgery, but it allows for eliminating the varicose vein and eliminating the possibility of it occurring again after being removed.
- After removal, the incisions are sutured, and the wounds are dressed. Next, a second compressing bandage is applied to the area to help the recovery of the correct blood circulation.
- At the end of the bandage, the patient is transferred to the resuscitation room and awakened.
