What is Varicose Vein Litigation /
Stripping?
Vein ligation and/or stripping is a minor surgery that is
commonly peformed on large
varicose veins. The
procedure can also be done to prevent
venous skin ulcers from
reoccuring after treatment.
Back to Top
Effects of Varicose Vein Litigation /
Stripping
This procedure is performed to avoid complications of vein
damage. Vein
stripping is the only choice for eliminating the saphenous
veins (the largest surface veins in the legs) that serve as
the major channels for blood among the superficial veins in
the leg.
Back to Top
Candidates for Varicose Vein
Litigation / Stripping
Varicose Vein Litigation/Stripping may be recommended when a
varicose vein bleeds; open sores develop due to varicose
veins or poor blood circulation in a vein; your legs ache,
swell, or feel heavy, especially after prolonged standing;
or the vein is damaged in the section where it joins the
superficial and deep veins in the knee or groin. This
procedure may also be ideal if you want to get rid of
varicose veins for cosmetic reasons and do not have any
other health problems that might make the surgery more
risky.
Back to Top
Your
Consultation
It is
possible that the condition of varicose veins may aggravate
without treatment. Your physician will first attempt methods
that do not necessitate surgery to alleviate your symptoms.
If you have mild to moderate varicose veins, elevating your
legs can help minimize leg swelling and ease other symptoms.
Your physician may advise you to prop your feet up above the
level of your heart 3 or 4 times a day for about 15 minutes
at a time. When you need to stand for a long period of time,
you can flex your legs occasionally to allow the venous
pump to keep blood moving toward your heart.
Back to Top
The Varicose Vein Litigation / Stripping
Procedure
Surgical vein stripping is carried out in the hospital while
the patient is under general anesthesia. Incisions are made
at the bottom (ankle end) and the top (groin end) of the
varicose vein. A thin, wire-like instrument is inserted into
the vein that clears the vein from the inside. Small
incisions can also be made over individual veins to remove
them.
Back to Top
Recovery
Surgical stripping normally requires an overnight hospital
stay and several days of recovery. After treatment, your
legs are wrapped tightly in bandages. Walking is feasible
the day of surgery. In fact, walking is advised to reduce
swelling and circumvent the risk of
deep venous thrombosis. It is vital that feet are kept
raised above the heart whenever possible.
Back to Top
Risks
This procedure includes some risks, such as recurrence of
varicose veins and scarring. Furthermore, if the deep vein
system is damaged, surgery may make complications with blood
flow in the veins worse. Varicose vein surgery has similar
risks associated with general surgery including infection,
bleeding, and
anesthesia risks. If the largest vein in
the leg (great saphenous vein, or GSV) is stripped below the
knee, numbness may result due to nerve injury.
Back to Top
Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
What are varicose veins?
A:
Varicose veins generally appear in the legs. Normally,
valves in your veins keep blood flowing but the valves in
varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes
the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when you
are standing.
Q:
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
A:
If
you have varicose veins, your legs may feel heavy, tired,
restless or achy. Standing or sitting for too long may
aggravate your symptoms. You may also experience night
cramps. You
may notice small clusters of veins in a winding pattern on
your leg, or soft, slightly tender knots of veins.
Sometimes, the skin on your legs may change color, become
irritated or even form sores.
Q:
What causes varicose veins?
A:
High
blood pressure inside your superficial leg veins causes
varicose veins. Factors that can increase your risk for
varicose veins include having a family history of varicose
veins, being overweight, not exercising enough, smoking,
standing or sitting for long periods of time or having
DVT.
Women are more likely than men to develop varicose veins.
Varicose veins usually affect people between the ages of 30
and 70.
Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing varicose
veins, but the veins often return to normal within 1 year
after childbirth. Women who have multiple pregnancies may
develop permanent varicose veins.
Q:
What are the treatment options for varicose veins?
A:
Varicose
veins can be treated by removal (vein stripping) or by
injection with a substance that causes the veins to scar
closed (sclerotherapy).
Q: Are
there complications involved in vein stripping?
A:
Occasionally, the procedure can damage superficial nerves
along the stripped vein, causing a patchy area of numbness
in the leg. The nerves usually recover, however, and
sensation returns. In some instances, it can result in
complications such as infection, which will require
antibiotic treatment, and bleeding, which can be treated by
firm pressure.
Back to Top |
