Minimally Invasive Treatments for Varicose Veins – Procedures and Risks

Veins that are enlarged, twisted, and occasionally painful due to blood clots that do not normally empty are known as varicose veins.

Usually, varicose veins start in the legs. They are blue in color and tend to stand out.

Blood does not pool in one area because valves in your veins normally keep blood flowing upward toward the heart.

Varicose veins are caused by either missing or damaged valves. Blood starts to flow from these veins, especially if you are standing.

What kinds of varicose vein treatments are non-invasive?

There are numerous minimally invasive or non-invasive varicose vein treatments available. Among them are:

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution known as a sclerosant into varicose veins with the intention of destroying them. Blood must redirect to healthier veins as a result of the sclerosant’s scarring and collapse of the vein.

The veins gradually vanish as a result of your body’s destruction of them. The sodium tetradecyl sulphate solution is a typical sclerosant solution. Often used to treat “spider veins,” or tiny varicose veins at the skin’s surface, this procedure also helps to improve the leg’s appearance.

Before injecting the sclerosant into the vein, a process known as foam sclerotherapy includes transforming it into foam.

Larger veins are suitable for this procedure since foam has a greater surface area coverage than liquid.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radio waves, also known as radiofrequency radiation, are sent through the vein wall during this operation. After numbing the vein with an ultrasound to visualize within the leg, your doctor will insert a wire catheter down the vein to deliver radiofrequency energy along the vein wall.

The vein wall will eventually be reabsorbed by the body and vanish after heating up, thickening, and contracting. The complete effects of this surgery could not become apparent for several weeks or months.

Endovenous laser ablation

With the exception of using laser energy instead of radiofrequency energy, laser ablation is comparable to radiofrequency ablation. After being placed within the catheter and adjusted to the required position, the laser energy induces the vessel to close by producing heat. With time, the vein will eventually become smaller, and your body will absorb it again. The deeper leg veins are frequently treated with radiofrequency and laser therapy.

Phlebectomy

Another minimally invasive surgery for varicose veins is phlebectomy. Using a special hook, the doctor makes a small incision close to the vein and removes it.

You wouldn’t be unconscious during this outpatient surgery because a local anesthetic is used. Usually, it takes thirty to sixty minutes to finish. To achieve the best outcomes, some patients might require a second operation.

Who ought to get non-invasive varicose vein treatment?

Not every varicose vein needs medical attention. You might want to experiment on your own with some helpful lifestyle changes for varicose veins:

• working out and controlling your weight

• putting on compression stockings

• raising your legs while seated

• avoiding prolonged standing or sitting

Your physician could advise against invasive procedures:

• if self-care therapy doesn’t work.

• the way your limb looks is upsetting you.

• if you feel any pain or cramping.

• Blood clots frequently form.

• phlebitis (vein inflammation) occurs.

• ulcers or sores form

• and lipodermatosclerosis.

• or the hardening of fatty tissue beneath the skin as a result of blood pressure from veins

What can be anticipated from a non-invasive varicose vein treatment?

A local anesthetic is usually used in a doctor’s office for non-invasive varicose vein therapy.

Before the process

If you have any allergies, are pregnant, or are taking any drugs, including herbal supplements, be sure to let your doctor know. A few days prior to the surgery, your doctor could ask you to cease using blood thinners, aspirin, or any other drug that prevents blood clots.

During the process

You will be conscious during the entire process. Your doctor will clean and numb your leg with a local anesthetic and utilize ultrasonography to see the vein.

When a sclerosant solution is injected into a vein, you could experience mild stinging or mild pressure during the catheter’s insertion. You will need to wear safety glasses if they are using lasers during the treatment. Whether using a laser or radiofrequency, the vein closure shouldn’t hurt.

After the process

To stop the bleeding and swelling, bandages may be applied to your legs. These bandages might need to be worn for a few days.

After the procedure, you should arrange for a driver to take you home, and you might be told to refrain from intense physical activity for a week or two. For any discomfort, acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be advised; however, you should stay away from any painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen that could interfere with blood clotting.

After the treatment, your doctor could also advise against taking hot baths or using whirlpools. It is advised to take cool showers or sponge baths with lukewarm water and little soap.

What dangers come with non-invasive varicose vein treatments?

Though there are some dangers associated with any medical procedure, non-invasive treatments are generally highly safe. Every technique has the following risks:

Allergic response resulting in bleeding, bruising, and infection that leaves scars.

Sclerotherapy:

Sclerotherapy may come with some dangers.

Blood clots, bruises, itching rash, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), discoloration, minor edoema or inflammation, and nerve damage.

Both laser ablation and radiofrequency:

Radiofrequency and laser ablation include the following risks:

Bleeding clots that cause damage to the blood vessels hematomas, or collections of blood outside the blood vessels infection.

Skin burns, a tingling or prickling feeling on the skin caused by nerve damage.

Phlebectomy:

Among the phlebectomy’s hazards are:

Skin discoloration on the infected treated area, however, is uncommon.

The Reason for doing the procedure:

Therapy for varicose veins might be used to treat:

• veins that are varicose and impair blood flow.

• Pain in the legs and a heavy feeling

• Skin alterations or lesions brought on by excessive vein pressure.

• Inflammation or clots in the veins

• Unwanted look of the lower limb

Dangers/ Risks

In general, these therapies are safe. Inquire with your provider about any specific issues you may be experiencing.

Any anesthesia or operation carries the following risks:

• Allergy responses to medications

• breathing issues

• Infection, bruising, or bleeding

Varicose vein treatment carries the following risks:

• clots of blood

• injury to the nerves

• Not being able to stop the vein.

• the treated vein opening.

• inflammation of the veins

• Injuries or disfigurement

• Varicose vein reappearance over time

What other therapies are available for varicose veins?

Your next course of treatment may need to involve surgery if non-invasive or home solutions fail to eliminate or minimize your varicose veins.

It’s likely that your doctor may advise vein stripping and ligation. The varicose veins in the affected leg will all be tied up and removed by the surgeon during this surgical process.

Most people with really big varicose veins require this surgery. Additional justifications for ligations include:

• persistent soreness or pain in the legs

• bleeding from veins

• ulcers brought on by inadequate vein circulation.

• vein damage

Generally speaking, it is not the right course of action for:

• senior citizens who are more likely to experience issues.

• persons who have clogged lymph vessels or inadequate circulation in their leg arteries.

• individuals with skin infections

• individuals with any type of blood clotting abnormalities

• expectant mothers

• a person who has an arteriovenous fistula, an irregular vein-artery connection in the leg.

This technique might also be carried out as a component of a larger treatment plan that also includes one of the less invasive treatments and at-home remedies. To determine which course of treatment is best for you, consult your doctor.

You can usually go back to your regular activities a day or two after treatment. After treatment, you must wear compression stockings during the day for a week.

Non-invasive techniques have a very minimal risk of consequences and are generally extremely successful. These operations usually result in better-looking skin on the legs and other places. The majority of the time, there are no bruises or scars, although there is a little chance that the varicose veins could return. Compression stockings can lessen the chance that varicose veins will recur.