Over the past 20-30 years, many different innovative methods have been invented to remove diseased varicose veins.If earlier phlebologists used only classical surgery for this purpose, today they already use biological glue, laser, steam, radiofrequency intervention and many others for this purpose.
The great advantage of modern methods for removing varicose veins is that almost all of them are minimally invasive - they are performed with minimal surgical intervention (through an injection, through a puncture, through a small incision) and do not require long recovery after surgery.
Therefore, in our article today we will talk in detail about how veins are removed for varicose veins using modern methods and we will consider their main disadvantages and advantages.
Radio frequency interference
This method is especially popular in the United States of America and has gained such popularity due to the fact that after this procedure there are no scars or scars left on the body, as, for example, after laser vein removal.Also, the advantage of this method over 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 is inserted into the diseased vein (it looks like a long but thin wire), at the end of which there is a special 7-centimeter long nozzle, which emits radiofrequency energy, heating the veins and sticking them.The operation is performed under the control of an ultrasound machine, so the doctor fully controls the progress of the procedure through the monitor at all stages.
The main advantage of radiofrequency catheter ablation is that it can be used even in the most vulnerable parts of the body.Another advantage is that after the operation you do not need to take sedatives, and besides, the procedure itself is not very painful.
An important 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 removing varicose veins, is used relatively less often than in the United States.
Venaseal bio-adhesive
This innovative technique was invented in the USA 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 (no need to go to the hospital).After its completion, you can go straight home and go about your business.
In the process of minimally invasive intervention, a special catheter is inserted into the affected vein through a puncture and filled with bioglue through it.The entire procedure takes place under the full supervision of a doctor;he observes in real time through an ultrasound machine how the diseased veins stick together and turn into connective tissue.The operation does not cause any harm to the organism, nor does the bioglue itself, as it is an environmentally friendly substance and does not cause allergic reactions.
There are many advantages to this vein removal technology for varicose veins.First of all, there is a complete lack of a rehabilitation period;after gluing veins with bioglue, you do not even need to wear compression stockings, as with most other minimally invasive methods for removing varicose veins.Immediately after the operation, the person can do his business.
Another advantage of this method is its absolute painlessness and complete lack of preliminary preparation.Visual changes become visible already during the operation, the veins stick together and disappear before our eyes, the skin becomes smooth, the nodes and tubercles disappear.
Among the disadvantages of the procedure, one can note only the high cost and the fact that it is performed only in five countries of the world, including Latvia.Therefore, not everyone will be able to afford the removal of 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 be closed only partially, and this is fraught with repeated operations.However, for superficial veins, those that protrude above the skin, this procedure is quite well proven.
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a special substance, a sclerosant, into the vein affected by varicose veins through a single needle.It is what chemically glues the damaged vein together and removes it from the bloodstream.After surgery, it is recommended to wear compression stockings.
The main disadvantage of sclerotherapy is that the procedure is ineffective in sclerosis of the main (internal) veins.Another significant disadvantage of this method of removing varicose veins is the price.
Laser coagulation
This method is one of the most popular today, as it has a large number of 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 that emits 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, as a rule, do not experience any pain syndrome after surgery.
The main advantage of this operation is that it is painless and there is no recovery period.
There are only two disadvantages of laser coagulation: the high cost of the procedure and small wounds, which in some cases do not heal even after several months.It is also worth noting that all procedures are performed with a gap of 1-2 weeks, so if the diseased veins are not removed at the same time, then their repeated removal is allowed only after 1-2 weeks.
Steam removal
It is also a very effective procedure for removing varicose veins;in Europe it is used together 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 Forum of Phlebology, it took first place as the most qualitative and original operation for the removal of varicose veins.
During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the vein through a micro-hole, through which controlled micropulses of hot water vapor are sent.Under its action, the venous walls are compressed, the vein is completely closed and leaves the circulatory system.After the procedure, compression stockings are required.
The operation is performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia, without any prior preparation.After removing the veins, you can go home immediately and go to work the next day.
Steam micropulse endovenous thermal closure has several advantages.First of all, this is the effectiveness of the operation in complex cases when the veins have wide branches, 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 for relapses of the disease and after thrombosis.
The main disadvantage is anesthesia;it is performed with the addition of adrenaline, and therefore can cause additional stress on the heart.Also, in some cases, people experience temporary loss of skin sensation and bleeding after steam vein removal.
Miniphlebectomy
This is a minimally invasive and low-trauma method for removing varicose veins that requires no prior preparation.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local tumescent anesthesia and takes about 40 minutes.After its completion, within a few hours you can go home.All skin piercings 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 machine.Anesthesia lasts from 6 to 10 hours.
The advantages of such an intervention are a high cosmetic effect and a complete absence of pain.It is also worth noting that such an operation is available to a wide range of people, including people with growing thrombophlebitis, as it is well tolerated.
This method has few disadvantages - hyperpigmentation of the skin along the removed vein (rare), bruising (melts without a trace after a while), thrombosis of deep veins (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 veins.