Varicose Veins (cont.)
What surgical procedures are available to treat varicose veins?
Varicose veins are frequently treated by eliminating the "bad" veins. This
forces the blood to flow through the remaining healthy veins. In vein stripping
surgery, the problematic veins are "stripped" out by passing a flexible device
through the vein and removing it through an incision near the groin. Smaller
tributaries of these veins also are stripped with this device or removed through
a series of small incisions. Those veins that connect to the deeper veins are
then tied off. This stripping method has been used since the 1950's.
Spider veins cannot be removed through surgery. Sometimes, they disappear
when the larger varicose veins feeding the spider veins are removed. Remaining
spider veins also can be treated with sclerotherapy.
Do these procedures hurt?
For all of these procedures, the amount of pain an individual feels will
vary, depending on the person's general tolerance for pain, how extensive the
treatments are, which parts of the body are treated, whether complications
arise, and other factors. Because surgery is performed under anesthesia, pain is
not felt during the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, there can be some
pain at or near the incision(s).
For sclerotherapy, the degree of pain will also depend on the size of the
needle used and which solution is injected. Most people find hypertonic saline
to be the most painful solution and experience a burning and cramping sensation
for several minutes when it is injected. Some doctors mix a mild local
anesthetic with the saline solution to minimize the pain.
Next: Can laser be used to treat varicose and spider veins? »
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