Over the last 20 to 30 years, many different innovative methods have been invented to remove diseased veins with varicose veins.While phlebologists previously only resorted to classic surgery for this purpose, today they already use biological glue, lasers, steam, radiofrequency intervention and much more for this purpose.
The big advantage of modern methods of removing varicose veins is that they are almost all minimally invasive - they are performed with minimal surgical intervention (through an injection, through a puncture, through a small incision) and do not require a long postoperative recovery.
Therefore, in our today's article we will talk in detail about how to remove veins for varicose veins using modern methods and consider their main disadvantages and advantages.
Radio frequency intervention
This method is particularly popular in the United States of America and is very popular due to the fact that after this procedure there are no scars or scars left on the body, such as after laser vein removal.The advantage of this method over laser coagulation is also its safety for the most delicate and sensitive parts of the body (genitals, face).
The principle of endovenous radiofrequency surgery is extremely simple: through a small puncture, a special catheter electrode (looks like a long but thin wire) is inserted into the diseased vein, at the end of which there is a special 7 centimeter long nozzle that emits radiofrequency energy, heating the veins and causing them to stick together.The operation is carried out under the control of an ultrasound machine, so the doctor fully monitors the progress of the procedure at all stages through the monitor.
The main advantage of radiofrequency catheter ablation is that it can be used on even the most sensitive parts of the body.Another advantage is that you do not need to take painkillers after the operation and the procedure itself is not very painful.
A significant disadvantage of such an intervention is the price, which is an order of magnitude higher than that of the same laser coagulation, therefore this technique is used in the removal of varicose veins in the post-Soviet space relatively less often than in the United States.
Bioadhesive venaseal
This innovative technology was invented in the USA and has been used successfully in 5 countries since 2010.This procedure is absolutely painless, does not take much time and is performed on an outpatient basis without pain relief (hospitalization is not required).Once completed, you can immediately go home and mind your own business.
During the minimally invasive procedure, a special catheter is inserted through a puncture into the affected vein and filled with bioglue.The entire procedure takes place under the complete supervision of a doctor;Using an ultrasound device, he observes in real time how diseased veins stick together and turn into connective tissue.The procedure does not harm the body, nor does the bioglue itself, since it is an environmentally friendly substance and does not even cause allergic reactions.
This technology for vein removal for varicose veins offers many advantages.First, there is no rehabilitation period;After gluing the veins with bioglue, you don't even need to wear compression stockings, like most other minimally invasive methods of removing enlarged veins.The person can go about their business immediately after the operation is completed.
Another advantage of this method is the absolute lack of pain and the complete absence of any preliminary preparation.Already during the operation, optical changes become visible, the veins stick together and disappear before our eyes, the skin becomes smooth, nodules and tubercles disappear.
The only disadvantages of the procedure include its high cost and the fact that it is carried out only in five countries in 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 veins (internal).In about 25-35% of cases, the main veins can only be partially closed, which requires repeated surgical procedures.However, this procedure has proven to be quite effective for superficial veins, i.e. those that protrude above the skin.
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a special substance, a sclerosant, into the vein affected by varicose veins through a single puncture.It is what chemically glues the damaged vein together and removes it from the bloodstream.Wearing compression stockings is recommended after surgery.
The main disadvantage of sclerotherapy is that the procedure is ineffective in sclerotherapy of the major (internal) veins.Another significant disadvantage of this method of removing enlarged veins is the price.
Laser coagulation
This method is one of the most popular today because it offers numerous benefits.This operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.Patients are then recommended to wear compression stockings for a month.
During the procedure, a light guide that emits thermal laser energy is inserted into the affected vein through a special microhole in the skin.The fluid in the veins heats up and causes them to stick together.When local anesthesia is carried out properly, patients usually do not experience postoperative pain syndromes.
The main advantage of this operation is that it is painless and does not require a recovery period.
There are only two disadvantages of laser coagulation: the high cost of the procedure and small scars that in some cases do not heal even after several months.It is also worth noting 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 permissible only after 1-2 weeks.
Steam removal
It is also quite an 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.When it was officially recognized by the medical community at the European Phlebology Forum in 2010, it took first place as the highest quality and most original varicose vein removal operation.
In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the vein through a microhole through which controlled micropulses of heated water vapor are delivered to the vein.Under its action, the vein walls are compressed, the vein is completely closed and leaves the bloodstream.Compression stockings are required after the procedure.
The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and without prior preparation.After vein removal, you can go home immediately and go to work the next day.
Endovenous thermal occlusion of steam micropulses has many advantages.First of all, this is the effectiveness of the operation in complex cases, when the veins have extensive branches or 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 the event of disease relapses and after thrombosis.
The main disadvantage is anesthesia;It is carried out with the addition of adrenaline and can therefore put additional strain on the heart.In addition, in some cases, a temporary loss of skin sensitivity and bleeding occur after steam removal of the veins.
Miniphlebectomy
This is a minimally invasive and less traumatic method for removing varicose veins that does not require any prior preparation.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local tumescent anesthesia and takes approximately 40 minutes.Once completed, you can go home within a few hours.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 machine.The anesthesia lasts 6 to 10 hours.
The advantages of such a procedure are a high cosmetic effect and complete freedom from pain.It is also worth mentioning that due to its good tolerability, such an operation is accessible to a wide range of people, including those with ascending thrombophlebitis.
This method has only a few disadvantages: hyperpigmentation of the skin along the removed vein (rare), bruising (disappears 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 few days after vein removal.