vein treatment ¶Non-invasive treatment of varicose veins

Non-invasive treatment of varicose veins

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted and painful veins that have filled with blood.
Description

Varicose veins in most cases appear on the legs. They often protrude and are blue.

    Normally, the valves in your veins keep blood flowing to the heart, so it does not accumulate in one place.
    Varicose vein valves may be damaged or absent. This causes the veins to fill with blood, especially when you are standing.

The following treatments to treat varicose veins can be done in the office of a health care provider or in a clinic. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb your leg. You will be awake, but you will not feel pain.

Sclerotherapy is the best option for spider veins. These are small varicose veins.

    Salt water (a saline solution) or a chemical solution in the varicose vein is injected.
    The vein will harden and then disappear.

Laser treatment can be used on the surface of the skin. A few small bursts of light will make the small varicose veins disappear.

Phlebotomy treats superficial varicose veins. Very small cuts are made near the damaged vein. Then the vein is removed. One method uses a light under the skin to guide the treatment.

This can be done together with other procedures, such as ablation.

The ablation uses intense heat to treat the vein. There are two methods. One uses radiofrequency energy and the other uses laser energy. During these procedures:

    Your doctor will puncture the varicose vein.
    Your doctor will slide a flexible tube (catheter) up along the vein.
    The catheter will send intense heat to the vein. This will seal and destroy the vein and it will disappear with time.

Why the procedure is performed
Why the procedure is performed has been extended.

You can receive therapy for varicose veins to treat:

    Varicose veins that cause problems with blood flow
    Pain or heaviness in the legs
    Changes or sores on the skin that are caused by having too much pressure in the veins
    Blood clots or inflammation in the veins
    Undesirable appearance of the legs

Risks
Risks has been extended.

These treatments are generally safe. Ask your provider about specific problems you may have.

The risks of any anesthesia and surgery are:

    Allergic reactions to medications
    Respiratory problems
    Bleeding, bruising (bruising) or infection

The risks of varicose vein therapy are:

    Blood clots
    Damage to nerves
    Failure of vein closure
    Opening of the treated vein
    Irritation of the vein
    Bruising or scarring
    Return of the varicose vein over time

Before the procedure
Before the procedure has been extended.

Always notify your provider:

    If you are or could be pregnant.
    About any medication you are taking. This includes medicines, supplements or herbal medicines that you have bought without a prescription.



You may need to stop taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and other medications that may make it harder for your blood to clot.
After the procedure
After the procedure has been extended.

Your legs will be wrapped in bandages to control swelling and bleeding for 2 or 3 days after your treatment.

Must be able to resume normal activities 1 or 2 days after receiving treatment. You should wear compression stockings during the day for a week after receiving treatment.

Your leg may be checked using ultrasound a few days after treatment to make sure the vein is sealed.
Expectations (prognosis)
Expectations (prognosis) has been extended.

These treatments reduce pain and improve the appearance of the leg. Most of the time they cause very few scars, bruises or inflammation.

Wearing compression stockings will help prevent the problem from reappearing.
Alternative names
Alternative names has been extended.

Sclerotherapy; Laser therapy - varicose veins; Radiofrequency vein ablation; Endovenous thermal ablation; Ambulatory phlebotomy; Transilluminated phlebotomy; Endovenous laser ablation; Varicose vein therapy
Instructions for the patient
Instructions for the patient has been extended.

    Varicose veins - What to ask the doctor

References
References has been extended.

Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017: chap 64.

Garg N, Gloviczki P. Chronic venous insufficiency. In: Creager MA, Beckman JA, Loscalzo J, eds. Vascular Medicine: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013: chap 55.