Introduction
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins close to the skin’s surface (superficial). Varicose veins are caused by increased blood pressure in the veins.
In the human body, blood moves towards the heart by one-way valves in the veins. When the valves become weakened or damaged, blood can collect in the veins. This causes the veins to become enlarged. Sitting or standing for long periods can cause blood to pool in the leg veins, increasing the pressure within the veins causing stretching of the veins & weakening of the walls.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Varicose veins might not always cause pain. Signs of varicose veins include:
- Veins that are dark purple or blue
- Veins that appear twisted and bulging, often appearing like cords on the legs
When painful signs and symptoms of varicose veins occur, they might include:
- An achy or heavy feeling in the legs
- Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping & swelling in the lower legs
- Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
- Itching around one or more of the veins
- Changes in skin color around a varicose vein
Treatment
The various medical treatments for Varicose veins include
Compression stockings: These elastic stockings squeeze the veins and prevent blood from pooling. Compression stockings can be effective if they are worn every day.
- Traditional SurgerY: Ligation and stripping are the most commonsurgical interventions for the treatment of varicose veins. Ligation is the process involving surgical tying off of a large vein in the leg while stripping is the process of removal of the same vein via incisions or tissue cuts in the groin region, thigh and leg.
Foam Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for both spider and varicose veins. A salt (saline) or chemical solution is injected into the varicose veins. They no longer carry blood. And, other veins take over.
Endovascular Laser Abalation Therapy (EVLT): Lasers or radiofrequency energy may be used to treat varicose veins. A tiny fiber is inserted into a varicose vein through a catheter. The laser or radiofrequency energy is used to deliver heat that destroys the wall of the varicose vein.
Ambulatory phlebectomy: Special tools inserted through small cuts (incisions) are used to remove varicose veins. It may be done alone or with vein stripping.
Complcations of Surgical Treatment
Surgical interventions which are undertaken under general anesthesia usually the 1- 2 hours depending upon the no incisions and complications. Moreover, the recovery period is also long from 2-4 weeks depending upon factors like patient’s health & the number of operated veins.
Other complications which could arise are
- Allergic reaction to the numbing solution or local anesthetic that’s used.
- Infection at or near the incision site.
- Nerve injury can cause long-term numbness near the treatment site.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Pronounced scars.
- Blood clots.
- Injury to the vein or surrounding tissues.
Advantages of Endovasular Laser Abalation Therapy
Unlike surgical treatments, Endovascular laser therapy(EVLT) is performed under local anesthesia.. It is comparatively a safer procedure associated with low risks, lesser pain or discomfort, and a higher success rate that is around 98%.
It requires comparatively lesser time for procedure and patients are able to go back home walking on the same day.
Moreover, patients require lesser post-operative care even at home. The patient can resume his normal activities almost immediately which is much earlier than surgical interventions.
Conclusion
Interventional radiology guided minimal or pinhole access procedures simplify the treatment of Varicose veins by using an innovative approach to treat them, causing minimal discomfort, side effects & complications & a much less recovery period.
Please consult your doctor if you have the symptoms & signs associated with Varicose Veins