Are varicose veins on one of my limbs so large that they can be treated exclusively with a surgical method?
Is it true that classic surgery with an incision in groin area does not usually give expected outcome?
Following the surgery of one limb should I undergo the second one as to avoid another operation in the future?
If a physician offered you to undergo surgery during consultation visit, it would suggest that in your case it is the best method of treatment. There are situations in which the most effective minimally invasive methods cannot be applied as they would not be sufficient enough or just impossible to perform. However, there is a novel, non-surgical method of treatment suitable even for the largest lower limb varicose veins. It becomes an alternative for surgical procedures.
Clinic of Phlebology-NASMED wa
s the first in Poland to
introduce minimally invasive procedure of intravascular ‘superglue’ treatment of varicose veins using VenaSeal method. More information can be found in the section – MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES.
During classic surgery, the largest varicose veins are eliminated at the very beginning. Statistically, great and short saphenous veins of the superficial venous system are most commonly operated. In case of great saphenous vein insufficiency, a large incision is required (ca 4-5 cm) in groin area while short saphenous vein is accessed from the posterior site of the shin, at popliteal fossa. Additionally, such surgeries are accompanied by several incisions of a few millimetres length (3-5 mm) in the area of the most visible varicose veins. Abnormal vein is removed through small cuts in the skin. Then these wounds are surgically sewed and special plasters and compression dressing are applied.
As to obtain the best cosmetic effects and reduce the risk of complications, the range of surgeries is maximally restricted in case of many patients. It is done with a view to treat smaller varicose veins with supplementary methods at a later time (up to 2-3 months following classic surgery), using minimally invasive techniques (e.g. ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy).
Nowadays, however, classic procedures (surgeries) are replaced by minimally invasive methods which are performed intravascularly under local anaesthesia (tumescent-enhanced anaesthesia) or without it (‘superglue’ treatment with VenaSeal method).
It should be remembered that the Clinic of Phlebology-NASMED requires basic fasting blood tests results prior to surgery and intravascular varicose treatment (a shortened description of methods is presented below). Below there is a list of required tests.
We offer a set of preoperative laboratory tests for PLN 150:
– blood typing and Rh factor testing
– complete blood count with differential
– prothrombin time (INR, aPTT)
– electrolytes (NA+, K+)
– creatinine concentration
– fasting glycaemia
– anti-HCV and HBsAg (or anti-HBs)
A list of minimally invasive methods of lower limb varicose vein treatment includes:
1. Intravascular thermal methods consisting in the ablation of widened veins with the energy of the laser beam (EVLA), radio frequency waves (EVRF) or hyperheated steam (SVS). In case of these techniques, narrow fibers (optical fiber or electrode) and catheters are inserted under ultrasound guidance into affected vein. Following connection to adequate energy source, varicose veins are thermally damaged. Effectiveness of such method is dependent i.a. on the lumen of vein closed. Thus, in case of larger varicose veins, recanalization and relapse of varicose veins is possible.
2. Intravascular obliteration of lower limb varicose veins with medical adhesive using VenaSeal method. It is a novel method of treatment of varicose veins worldwide which is offered in the Clinic of Phlebology-NASMED. This non-thermal method consists in the occlusion of abnormal vein with special medical adhesive. Procedure is performed intravascularly using narrow catheter which is inserted into the abnormal vein through 2 mm long cut in the skin (usually in the shin area). Until now, observations of patients treated with such method are very promising. Percentage of varicose veins closed (even those with diameter exceeding 10-12 mm) amounts to 95%. We encourage you to verify the benefits of this method at the website of the Clinic of Phlebology-NASMED: VENASEAL.
3. Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (abbreviation – echosclerotherapy). It is one of the most universal methods of minimally invasive varicose vein treatment. In this method, veins are closed through several injections or intravascularly by catheter. Administration of obliterating foam agent into the deepest veins should be always monitored on the ultrasound screen.
In case of larger varicose veins, this method, especially performed classically (through multiple injections) demonstrates rather high percentage of recanalization in several years observations (percentage of opening veins amounts to even 30-35%). Recurrent pathological blood flow to the abnormal occluded venous trunk requires re-injections or application of a new method accordingly to indications. Thus, regular ultrasound testing is of importance in case of patients who underwent sclerotherapy.
Each of the physicians of the Clinic of Phlebology-NASMED team will individually adjust therapeutic method for you during a qualification visit.
Our mutual objective is to obtain therapeutic outcome which would be satisfactory for both you and us.
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minimally invasive procedures