Over the past 20-30 years, many innovative methods have been invented to eliminate diseased varicose veins.If previously phlebologists used only classical surgery for this purpose, today they already use biological glue, laser, steam, radiofrequency intervention and much more for this purpose.
The big advantage of modern methods of removing varicose veins is that almost all of them are minimally invasive - they are carried out with minimal surgical intervention (by injection, by puncture, by small incision) and do not require long postoperative recovery.
Therefore, in our article today we will talk in detail about how veins are removed from varicose veins using modern methods and consider their main disadvantages and advantages.
Radiofrequency intervention
This method is especially popular in the United States of America and has gained such popularity due to the fact that after this procedure no scars or scars remain on the body, such as, for example, after laser ablation of veins.Also, the advantage of this method compared to laser coagulation is its safety for the most sensitive and delicate parts of the body (genitals, face).
The principle of endovenous radiofrequency surgery is extremely simple: through a small puncture, a special catheter electrode (resembling a long but thin wire) is inserted into the diseased vein, at the end of which there is a special nozzle 7 centimeters long, which emits radiofrequency energy, heating the veins and making them stick together.The operation is carried out under the control of an ultrasound device, so the doctor fully controls the course of the procedure through the monitor at all stages.
The main advantage of radiofrequency catheter ablation is that it can be used on even the most vulnerable parts of the body.Another advantage is that after the operation you do not need to take painkillers and the procedure itself is not very painful.
A significant disadvantage of such an intervention is the price, it is an order of magnitude higher than that of the same laser coagulation, therefore this technique in the post-Soviet space, when eliminating varicose veins, is used relatively less frequently than in the United States.
Venaseal bio-adhesive
This innovative technique was invented in the United States and has been successfully used in 5 countries since 2010. This procedure is absolutely painless, does not take much time and is performed on an outpatient basis without any pain relief (there is no need to go to the hospital).Once finished, you can immediately go home and take care of your business.
During a minimally invasive procedure, a special catheter is inserted into the affected vein by a puncture and through it it is filled with bioglue.The entire procedure takes place under the full supervision of a doctor;he observes in real time using an ultrasound device how diseased veins stick to each other and transform into connective tissue.The operation does not cause any harm to the body, nor to the bioglue itself, since it is an environmentally friendly substance and does not even cause allergic reactions.
This varicose vein removal technology has many advantages.First of all, there is a total absence of a rehabilitation period;After gluing the veins with bioglue, you don't even need to wear compression stockings, as with most other minimally invasive methods for removing enlarged veins.The person can immediately after the end of the operation go about their business.
Another advantage of this method is its absolute painlessness and the complete absence of prior preparation.Visual changes become visible immediately after the operation, veins stick together and disappear before our eyes, the skin becomes smooth, nodules and tubercles disappear.
Among the disadvantages of the procedure, one cannot but note its high cost and the fact that it is carried out only in five countries of the world, including Latvia.Therefore, not everyone will be able to afford to eliminate varicose veins using this method.
Sclerotherapy
A method very similar to the previous one, but less effective in relation to the main (internal) veins.In approximately 25-35% of cases, the main veins can only be partially closed, leading to repeated surgical procedures.However, for superficial veins, those that protrude above the skin, this procedure has rather proven itself.
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a special substance, a sclerosant, into the vein affected by varicose veins through a single puncture.This is what chemically sticks the damaged vein together and removes it from the bloodstream.After surgery, wearing compression stockings is recommended.
The main disadvantage of sclerotherapy is that the procedure is ineffective in sclerosing the main (internal) veins.Another significant disadvantage of this method of removing enlarged veins is its price.
Laser coagulation
This method is one of the most popular today, as it has many advantages.This operation is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, after which patients are advised to wear compression stockings for 1 month.
During the procedure, a light guide emitting thermal laser energy is inserted into the affected vein through a special micro-hole in the skin.The fluid in the veins heats up and they stick together.With properly administered local anesthesia, patients usually do not experience postoperative pain syndrome.
The main advantage of this operation is that it is painless and there is no recovery period.
Laser coagulation has only two disadvantages: the high cost of the procedure and small scars, which in some cases do not heal even after several months.It should also be noted that all procedures are carried out with an interval of 1-2 weeks.Therefore, if the diseased veins were not removed at once, their repeated removal is allowed only after 1-2 weeks.
Vapor Removal
It is also a fairly effective procedure for eliminating varicose veins;in Europe it is used with the methods described above, but in the post-Soviet space it is much less common.In 2010, when it was officially recognized by the medical community at the European Phlebology Forum, it won first place as the original and highest quality operation for the elimination of varicose veins.
During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the vein through a micro-hole, through which controlled micropulses of heated water vapor are delivered to it.Under its action, the venous walls are compressed, the vein completely closes and leaves the blood system.After the procedure, compression stockings are required.
The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, without any prior preparation.After the veins are removed, you can go home immediately and go to work the next day.
Endovenous thermal occlusion of steam micropulses has many advantages.First of all, it concerns the effectiveness of the operation in complex cases where the veins have numerous branches, a large diameter or are located in side branches (previously, such veins were removed only using the classic Varadi method).In addition, this method can be used in case of relapse of the disease and after thrombosis.
The main disadvantage is the anesthesia;it is carried out with the addition of adrenaline and can therefore place additional stress on the heart.Additionally, in some cases, people experience temporary loss of skin sensitivity and bleeding after steam removal of the veins.
Miniphlebectomy
This is a minimally invasive and minimally traumatic method for eliminating varicose veins that does not require prior preparation.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local tumescent anesthesia and lasts approximately 40 minutes.After its completion, in a few hours you will be able to return home.All punctures on the skin heal after a while and become almost invisible.
During the operation, the surgeon makes several punctures along the dilated vein and, through these holes, mechanically removes the diseased vein.The doctor monitors the progress of the procedure using an ultrasound device.Anesthesia lasts 6 to 10 hours.
The advantages of such an intervention are high cosmetic effect and complete absence of pain.It should also be noted that such an operation is available to a wide range of people, including people with ascending thrombophlebitis, as it is well tolerated.
This method has few disadvantages - hyperpigmentation of the skin along the removed vein (rare), bruising (dissolving without a trace after a while), deep vein thrombosis (isolated cases).To prevent the development of thrombosis, it is recommended to wear compression stockings and limit physical activity in the first days after removing the vein.