A surgery to remove deformed veins in the lower extremities is called a phlebectomy. It is known that the circulatory system of blood vessels consists of three parts: the superficial, the deep and the communicative, which, incidentally, connects the two previous ones.
The maximum amount of total blood flow occurs through deep veins, subcutaneous behavior only 10%.
However, despite this, they are the ones affected by varicose veins and protrude above the surface of the skin.
Phlebectomy is the removal of the affected veins. It was first held in the early 20th century.
Today, different techniques make it equally effective to remove entire major vessels or just small clear veins with knots formed on them.
Let's examine in which cases a varicose vein surgery is prescribed, what varieties are available, as well as the consequences and contraindications for its application.
Indications for foot surgery
There are cases where drug treatment does not give any effect in the fight against varicose veins, in this case, surgery is the only way out of this condition. The fear of surgery leads to the fact that patients try to delay the trip to the doctor as much as possible and thus only worsen the condition.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins is mandatory in the following areas:
- severely neglected condition of the varicose veins.
- significant increase in subcutaneous vessels.
- violation of the movement of blood through the vessels, leading to systemic fatigue and pain in the extremities.
- trophic skin lesions with severe healing wounds.
- exacerbation of thrombophlebitis.
Types of operations and preparation for them
It is impossible to determine the best type of surgery, as each is suitable for each individual case. Prior to selection, the physician should consider the onset of the disease, the patient's well-being, and the presence of complications. Good performance requires some preparation. It is important to pass all the necessary exams.
It is important to do the following:
- take a contrast shower.
- if necessary, shave the leg to be operated on.
- arrive at the hospital before the scheduled time.
Today, medicine offers various types of surgery for varicose veins of the lower extremities, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages.
Think about how varicose veins are operated on:
- Miniflectomy. A function that has special features. The vessels are removed by puncture. Recovery is faster, but otherwise everything is similar to a normal operation.
- Stripping of veins. A type of surgery in which the large clear vein is removed along with all its tributaries. The incision is usually made in the groin. The part allows you to remove part of the vessel and the whole allows you to stretch the entire vessel by freezing it in the catheter. All the venous vessels adjacent to the removed one are clogged. The lower extremity is pulled together with an elastic bandage.
- Hardening of the veins. Minimally invasive method of treatment. A hardener is injected into the deformed vessels. Its action is to stick the lumen. Later, a scar appears at this point and the vein disappears completely. Today, the following types of this function are known:
- sound sclerotherapy. Deep vessels 1 cm in diameter are treated. The drug is administered under the control of a scanner. A hardener is injected with a needle.
- "foam-form" method. The drug is a special foam. The procedure is safe and does not cause any inconvenience.
- Laser coagulation of veins. The new technology makes it possible to remove the disease without incisions and to remove blood vessels. The surgery is performed using light that passes into the vein through a puncture, and by heating the tissues, seals the affected areas. In most cases, relapses do not occur.
- Endoscopic venous anatomy. The operation is performed using a video-controlled endoscope. It is inserted into the incision and the vessel is tied. Complications do not occur, so it almost always ends successfully. It is important that the surgeon performing this procedure has extensive practical experience. Today it is a very popular type of surgery.
- radio frequency removal. Less traumatic way to remove varicose veins, which came from heart surgery. Used in combination with other methods. During the operation, a catheter is inserted into the cavity of the vessel, which moves to the length of the vein to be removed. Then the device is turned on and the container is glued with the help of current. Radiofrequency ablation is very similar to sclerotherapy, but unlike it, it does not require the introduction of special substances.
Contraindications and possible consequences
Despite all the positive aspects, the removal of varicose veins with the help of surgery can not be done by all patients.
Today, there are restrictions in the following cases:
- the last stage of the disease;
- the presence of hypertension or coronary heart disease.
- infectious processes that take place in a serious form.
- viral skin lesions;
- old age and pregnancy.
Like any other surgery, foot surgery can have consequences that appear immediately or after a while.
These include the following situations:
- reduced sensitivity of the skin nerves.
- numbness of the ankle or the inner surface of the lower leg.
- bleeding or ejaculation.
- the appearance of new deformed vessels.
- bruises and discoloration of the skin.
- slight pain in the affected area.
To avoid all this, it is important to follow the postoperative regimen.
Characteristics of care after surgery
To save the results, it is important to follow all the doctor's recommendations and undergo a special course of treatment, which is chosen taking into account the condition of the body, the prevalence of varicose veins and the type of surgery.
Care includes the following:
- On the first day, it is important to observe bed rest. However, you still have to move. Just do special exercises: bend and unwind your legs, as well as turn to the side.
- It is recommended to put on an elastic bandage and maintain the tone of the heart and blood vessels, lift the legs up and hold for some time in this position.
- Seam cleaning for the first time in 6 months. done only with hot water. Clean the parts by hand, without using hard cloths. It is important to remember that scars form over a long period of time and cannot be loaded.
- At home, it is recommended to wear compression underwear around the clock for 1 month. Then they take it out at night and do it for another 2 months;
- It is important to follow a diet and eat foods that help dilute the blood and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
As can be seen from the above, surgical treatment of dilated veins is quite popular today. However, it is important not to start the disease and try to see a doctor after the first symptoms appear. Remember that varicose veins in the legs, like other problems with the body, are better prevented than treated.