Varicose Vein Surgery: Procedure, Types, and Cost Explained
Weak or damaged vein walls and valves cause a common condition known as varicose veins. Blood may pool and flow backward as a result of this. Varicose veins are frequently twisted, bulging, and blue or dark purple. Usually, they affect the legs. In other body areas, varicose veins can occasionally occur. For instance, varicose veins in the rectum might develop into hemorrhoids.
Usually, varicose veins don't create many symptoms. On the other hand, some people could feel pain or exhaustion there. Severe bleeding or superficial thrombophlebitis are examples of complications. Varicose veins have several negative physical, social, and psychological repercussions that can lower one's quality of life. There is no known cause for varicose veins.
Risk factors for the illness include leg trauma, obesity, inactivity, and a family history of the disorder. Additionally, they develop more frequently during pregnancy. Occasionally, persistent venous insufficiency is the cause of them. One of the underlying causes is a weak or broken venous valve. Usually, an examination is used to diagnose them, along with ultrasound surveillance.
What is Varicose Vein Surgery?
Varicose vein surgery aims to reduce pressure on the skin veins in the leg. The surgery involves tying, dividing, and sometimes removing the main skin veins in the leg. The sort of surgery depends on the size of the varicose veins. These procedures have different names and techniques; these are:
- Vein Ligation and Stripping: Involves tying off and removing the problematic veins.
- Laser surgery: This may be recommended for sore, red, swollen, or irritated veins
- Radiofrequency Ablation: The damaged vein is sealed off using radiofrequency energy.
- Sclerotherapy: Involves blocking the vein and rerouting blood flow by putting a solution into it.
- Phlebectomy: Surgically removes varicose veins through small incisions.
- Vein Stripping: Surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs.
While uncomfortable, varicose veins are generally not a major health concern. The disease known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), which is the cause of varicose veins, permanently damages the valves that regulate the bloodstream.
Who Might Require Varicose Vein Surgery?
Varicose vein surgery may be recommended for individuals experiencing severe symptoms or complications associated with varicose veins. The varicose veins specialist might suggest one or more medical treatments if your symptoms are more severe. For instance, if your varicose veins are causing you to experience extreme discomfort, blood clots, or skin conditions, you might require medical attention.
If your varicose veins are painful or swollen, your specialist might prescribe laser surgery to treat the inflammation. If you have inflamed skin above your varicose veins, laser surgery might moreover be advised. While uncomfortable, varicose veins are generally not a major health concern.
Varicose Vein Surgery Procedure: Step-by-Step
Varicose vein surgery involves several steps to address the underlying issues causing varicose veins. Here's a step-by-step overview of the procedure:
- Preoperative Evaluation: A thorough assessment is carried out before the varicose veins surgery procedure, which includes a review of the patient's medical history and diagnostic testing to determine the severity of venous insufficiency.
- Anesthesia: To numb the targeted area and ensure patient comfort during surgery, the treatment usually involves local or regional anesthesia.
- Incisions: Tiny incisions are produced during many types of surgery. To reach the main superficial vein in the thigh during open surgery, a little incision in the groin crease may be carried out.
- Vein reach: Using specialized devices, surgeons can reach affected veins, most commonly the long saphenous vein in the thigh.
- Treatment for Veins: To relieve strain on the leg's primary skin veins and enhance blood flow, the surgeon may tie, split, or remove them.
- Endovenous Laser Treatment: Reduces varicose veins from within the affected veins using heat from a laser. Endovenous laser surgery may be used in some situations.
- Closure: The surgical site is wrapped, and the incisions are closed once the varicose veins have been treated.
- Postoperative Care: Following the varicose veins surgery procedure, patients are given advice on how to take care of themselves, which may include wearing compression stockings and getting more exercise.
Typical Cost of Varicose Vein Surgery in India
The location, kind of treatment, and a medical professional can all have an impact on the cost of varicose vein surgery. The typical cost of varicose vein surgery in India is between ₹36,719 and ₹2,75,000. However, the price may vary depending on the hospital.
Some other costs of varicose vein surgery treatments in India are:
- Varicose vein laser treatment: ₹50,000–₹1,50,000 for one limb
- Sclerotherapy: ₹4,000–₹10,000 per session
- Bilateral varicose vein treatment in Delhi: ₹94,500–₹1,36,500
When and Where Should I Consult a Vein Specialist?
Standing on your legs for extended periods might exacerbate the weak and heavy feeling caused by varicose veins. However, if the discomfort is causing it in the first place, something is wrong. This indicates that you must consult a vein expert.
You should consult a varicose veins specialist if you have:
- Uncomfortable legs
- Discolored veins
- Swelling on one or both sides of your body
- Pain that lasts a long time
- Veins that are twisted or gnarled
- Chronically itchy skin
- Varicose veins that bleed
- Asymmetrical pain or swelling
- Dry, itchy patches near your ankles or feet
- A past pregnancy progressed into problematic veins
Is the Varicose Vein Problem Reversible?
Most people believe varicose veins to be a chronic condition, and although treatments can lessen symptoms, they might not be able to address the underlying cause fully. To effectively manage varicose veins, the current best practice combines medication and lifestyle modifications. In theory, there is no medical cure for varicose veins. The entire vein collapses, and blood is redirected to a separate vein instead of treating a varicose vein. Thus, the vein is inactive yet still present. In some circumstances, the injured vein is cut out.
Treatment works to improve symptoms and may include lifestyle modifications or medical procedures. Adjusting one's lifestyle can involve wearing compression stockings, working out, standing up straighter, and losing weight.
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on the location and seriousness of the issue, diverse surgical methods are utilized to treat varicose veins. People who have varicose veins should speak with medical experts to discover the finest course of action for their specific situation.
References
