Our veins contain tiny valves that open to let blood flow to the heart and then close to stop it from flowing back. However, when these valves get damaged or weak, the blood flow and pools back in the vein, causing it to twist or stretch. When this happens, it becomes impossible to cure damaged valves, so one has to remove the affected veins altogether.

The surgery that allows removing varicose veins is known as varicose vein surgery. This procedure is recommended to many with severe pain. To get more information on what varicose vein surgery is, follow the below section!

Varicose vein surgery is a procedure performed by surgeons to remove varicose veins. One can identify the condition by noticing puffy and twisted red or bluish-purple veins appearing on the leg or other body parts.

Through this surgery, the doctors aim to take the pressure off the vein by dividing and removing the main skin vein in the legs. However, there is nothing to worry about the flow of blood because other veins, especially deep ones, automatically take over their job.

As a result, the doctors can prevent any further enlargement of varicose veins, which may again contribute to new varicose veins' growth.

If wondering when is varicose vein surgery necessary, this surgery is mainly recommended by the doctor for those who are suffering from blood clots, skin sores and ulcers. Thus, helping to cure:

• The threat of ulceration
• Bleeding through the skin
• Inflammation in the veins
• Large varicose veins with aches
• Constant pain and throbbing sensation in the legs

However, some also go through varicose vein surgery to improve the looks of their legs.

Modern science has introduced different minimal invasive types of varicose vein surgery to allow individuals to cure their issues and return to their normal lives in no time.

Moreover, since options are available, one can also get a specialist to tailor a program according to the location of his/her varicose vein and size. The treatments can be divided into several categories:

1. Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the popular ultrasound-guided methods of treating varicose veins. In this program, doctors inject a safe FDA-approved chemical agent into your veins. This agent is called a sclerosant, and when the doctors apply pressure, it seals the walls of the vein, thus shutting it and diverting blood to enter healthy veins.

It is a common practice in people whose varicose veins are located deeper and cannot be treated using another therapy. The benefits of going through this treatment include:

Benefits

• Reduction of spider veins
• Cures small varicose vein
• Better leg appearance

Success Rate: The success rate of Sclerotherapy ranges from 75% to 90%, as per the 2016 research papers. 

2. Endovenous Laser Ablation

Under this method, the doctors will use a laser or radio waves to close the varicose vein. To perform this process, they will make an incision on your skin and insert a thin tube containing a laser or radio wave to create heat.

Usually, people only feel the injection of this numbing agent. So, patients can go home later with a compression bandage wrapped around their legs.

Benefits

• Low infection risk
• Fast recovery
• No stitches or scars
• Minimal discomfort

Success Rate: The success rate of Endovenous Laser Ablation ranges from 95% to 100%.

3. Laser Treatment

Doctors can also choose laser treatment to treat varicose veins in which a strong burst of light is sent onto the veins, which makes the veins slowly disappear or fade away. So, there is no need for needles and incisions.

Benefits

• No after pain or symptoms
• Surgical incision not required
• Outpatient procedure

Success Rate: The success rate of Laser treatment for varicose veins ranges from 95% to 100%. 

4. Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Doctors recommend this medical procedure to cure large and more visible veins. To perform it, doctors first make two small incisions near the varicose veins and then remove the vein using surgical hooks. Here, doctors will apply anaesthesia to the affected area before starting the procedure. 

Benefits

• Minimally invasive procedure
• Quick recovery
• The result stays for long
• Treat large varicose veins

Success Rate: The success rate of Ambulatory Phlebectomy is above 90%, and the result is seen to stay for long.

5. Varicose Vein Stripping and High Ligation

In this process, the doctors tie off your affected vein before it joins a deep vein and then eliminate it by making a small cut. One of the biggest advantages of this procedure is that the blood does not stop flowing even after removing the vein.

It is because deeper veins can carry large volumes of blood, thus taking care of it instead. Other benefits of following this procedure are:

Benefits

• Low complication rate
• Reduced pain
• Early return to activity
• Low recurrence

Recurrence Rate: Varicose Vein Stripping has a high success rate with a recurrence of only 21%. 

Though you have approached the best healthcare team to treat your problem, you still must take a few steps to prepare yourself for a smooth process and better outcome. Some of these important points are:

• Get all the preoperative testing done as suggested by your doctor. However, these testing will vary depending upon your health, age and procedure to follow. The common ones include a blood test and X-rays.
• Make a current list of all the medications you have been taking, including vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, herbal suggestions, etc. This will help you answer all medication and medical history-related questions of doctors. Also, don't forget to inform us about your allergies.
• Follow a healthy diet and exercise plan before surgery to avoid any future complications.
• If doctors recommend you stop taking certain medications, abstain from consuming them.
• The medical professionals suggest no eating or drinking before the surgery. So if you do, it can result in the cancellation of the surgery.
• Avoid smoking as much as possible. It can improve your recovery rate.

There are certain complications which are very common for people to suffer. These after-effects of varicose vein surgery are:

• Wound Infection: Wounds are prone to infection, and the doctors will probably give you antibiotics to have it under control. So, you can expect it to be nothing serious.
• Chest Infection: Chest infection is another complication mainly experienced by smokers. However, doctors treat it by recommending physiotherapy and antibiotics.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis: DVT is a complication you may notice right after varicose vein surgery. The condition is rare, but patients with extensive varicose vein and skin changes are more likely to experience it.
• Nerve Injuries: Nerve injuries only take place 1 in about 20 cases. However, the two nerves at most risk include the first nerve, which picks up sensation from the foot top and the second is present in the outer border of your foot.
• Discharge From Wound: It is common for groyne incision to leak clear fluid and blood stain. However, this generally continues up to a few days only. This clear fluid sometimes accumulates below the groyne incision or leaks through the incision. If it leaks, it takes 6 weeks to settle.
• Recurrent Varicose Veins: There is a 1 in 15 chance for varicose vein problems to re-occur over a ten-year course. In this case, you may need further treatment.

The doctors often suggest certain procedures you must follow before and after varicose vein surgery. Moreover, you must follow them correctly to avoid any side effects and ensure a successful operation. Thus, for better clarity here, we have mentioned the procedures you expect to go through before the surgery:

• Physical Exam

The healthcare professional will run a physical exam to check your medical history and any pain or swelling in the area. If they find any, your doctor might also ask you to describe the intensity of pain and aching in the affected area. 

• Diagnostic Tests

For a better understanding, the doctors will also recommend you to go through diagnostic tests, including venous doppler ultrasound of the leg. It is a non-invasive test that takes the help of sound waves to check for blood flow across the valves in your veins. Thus, it also alerts the doctors if there is a blood clot.

To perform this test, the doctor moves a transducer against your body's skin where varicose veins may be present. It is a small hand-held device that is the size of a soap which transmits images of the vein and shows it on the monitor.

Other preoperative tests you may have to go through include EKG or electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood tests, etc.

Many get tensed before varicose vein surgery because they don't know what will happen. However, remember it will be performed by a group of experts, including vascular surgeons (specialising in surgical treatment), phlebologists (specialising in diagnosing and treating vein conditions), and dermatologists (specialising in skin, hair and nail care).

Also, the procedure includes:

• Preparation

On the day of varicose vein surgery, you will be asked to show up at the hospital early, change into the patient gown and wait for your surgery. The doctors will first mark the vein with a pen which needs treatment and instruct you to lie down on the examination table to analyse it.

They will clean and prep your skin for the surgery and inject local or general anaesthesia. While local anaesthesia blocks pain in only a small part of the body, general anaesthesia makes you unconscious completely. So, talk about the type of anaesthesia doctors will give you before surgery.

• Operation

Next, your anesthesiologist will place a tube in your lungs to monitor and control your breathing. On the other hand, the surgeons will make one or more small incisions, perform surgical techniques and use special instruments to close or remove your varicose vein.

During this period, the surgical team will monitor your body's vital signs and critical functions. This process will continue until they notice you are stable, alert and breathing independently.

After completing your surgery, you will have to stay in the recovery room until you are breathing independently and show stability in vital signs. The doctors will also suggest you wear compression stockings as a precaution after varicose vein surgery. It will help stabilise your veins and let them heal.

Later, on the same day, you may be able to walk back home normally. However, in some cases, patients may also need to stay in the hospital for one or two days as the recovery rate varies from one person to another.

Also, certain after-effects of varicose vein surgery are very common that you may experience too. These include a change in skin colour, swelling, pain and bruising. Moreover, the complexity can increase if you choose vein stripping and ligation treatment. For example, you may experience severe pain, blood clots, scarring and infection.

Make sure you appear for every follow-up appointment after varicose vein surgery to get the required help on time if a complication arises. However, you should always call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following conditions:

• Passing out, confusion, unresponsiveness, dizziness
• Breathing problems include wheezing, shortness of breath and laboured breathing
• No reduction in pain after taking pain medication
• Leg pain, swelling or redness in the calf, blood clot
• High fever
• Unusual discharge or pus coming out of your incision area

The average cost of varicose vein surgery in India ranges from ₹ 36,719 to ₹ 2,75,000. However, this price range may change depending on the hospital you are taking the treatment and the complications involved.

The above is a detailed guide on what is varicose vein surgery. Make sure you read it carefully to understand the procedure properly when a person requires to go through it and the complications that he/she may face after the surgery.

Varicose vein surgery has been seen to successfully cure the conditions while reducing their chances of recurrence. So, you can go through it if you face discomfort, discolouration and other issues.