Surgery for Varicose Veins
If you have large varicose veins, surgery may be the best option. However, it will not prevent new varicose veins from forming. Surgery is most often performed in a hospital or surgery center on an outpatient basis.
Varicose Vein Surgery
Your surgery will be tailored to your needs. Varicose veins may be tied off (ligation), destroyed, or removed. Blood will then flow through the healthy veins. One or more of the following techniques may be used:
Ligation
In some cases, the surgeon may tie off the greater saphenous vein. Smaller branching veins may also be tied off or removed.
Microphlebectomy or slerotherapy
A special hook is used to gently take out a varicose vein through tiny incisions. Microphlebectomy may be done in your doctor’s office.
Stripping
All or part of the vein may be removed with a stripping instrument.
Ablation (laser or radiofrequency)
A catheter will be placed inside the greater saphenous vein. Energy or heat released from the catheter will make the vein walls collapse and stick together, stopping all blood flow through the vein.
Know About the Risks
Your doctor will talk with you about the risks of surgery. These include:
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Bleeding or swelling
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A sense of numbness, burning, or tingling in areas near the procedure
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Edema or swelling in the legs
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Clots in the deep veins or lungs
