Over the past 20-30 years, many different innovative methods have been invented to remove diseased veins with varicose veins.If previously phlebologists used only classic surgeries for this purpose, today they already use bioglues, lasers, steam, radiofrequency interventions, etc. for this purpose.
The great advantage of modern methods of eliminating varicose veins is that almost all of them are minimally invasive – performed with minimal surgical intervention (via injection, puncture, small incision) and without the need for lengthy postoperative recovery.
Therefore, in today's article we will discuss in detail how to remove varicose veins using modern methods and consider their main disadvantages and advantages.
radiofrequency intervention
This method is particularly popular in the United States and is so popular because there are no scars or scars left on the body after this procedure, such as after laser vein removal.Furthermore, the advantage of this method over laser coagulation is that it is safe for the most sensitive and delicate parts of the body (genitals, face).
The principle of intravenous radiofrequency surgery is extremely simple - through a small puncture, a special catheter electrode (which looks like a long, thin wire) is inserted into the diseased vein. It has a special 7-centimeter-long nozzle at the end, which emits radiofrequency energy to heat the veins and make them stick together.The surgery is performed under the control of an ultrasound machine, so the doctor has full control over the progress of the surgery via monitors at all stages.
The main advantage of radiofrequency catheter ablation is that it can be used on even the most vulnerable parts of the body.Another benefit is that you don’t need to take painkillers after the surgery, and the surgery itself isn’t very painful.
A significant disadvantage of this intervention is the price, which is an order of magnitude higher than the same laser coagulation, so in the post-Soviet region this technique is used relatively less frequently than in the United States for the removal of varicose veins.
bioadhesive vein seal
This innovative technology was invented in the United States and has been used successfully in 5 countries since 2010.The procedure is absolutely painless, doesn't take much time, and is performed on an outpatient basis without any pain relief (no hospital visits required).Once you're done, you can immediately go home and mind your own business.
During a minimally invasive intervention, a special catheter is inserted through a puncture into the affected vein and filled with biogel through it.The entire procedure is performed under the full supervision of a doctor; he uses an ultrasound machine to observe in real time how diseased veins stick together and become connective tissue.The surgery does not cause any harm to the body, nor does the bioglue itself, as it is an environmentally friendly substance and does not even cause allergic reactions.
This technique has many advantages for varicose vein removal.First, there is no recovery period at all; after the vein is taped with bioglue, you don't even need to wear compression stockings like most other minimally invasive methods of removing dilated veins.After the procedure, the person can go about their business immediately.
Another advantage of this method is that it is absolutely painless and requires absolutely no preparation.Visual changes are visible already during the procedure, veins stick together and disappear before our eyes, the skin becomes smooth, knots and nodules disappear.
One of the disadvantages of this procedure is its high cost and the fact that it is only performed in five countries around the world, including Latvia.Therefore, not everyone can afford to remove varicose veins using this method.
Sclerotherapy
This method is very similar to the previous one, but is less effective for cardinal veins (internal).In about 25-35% of cases, the main vein can only be partially closed, which requires a repeat surgery.However, the procedure has been shown to work well for superficial veins (veins that protrude above the skin).
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a special substance (sclerotherapy) into the veins affected by varicose veins through a single puncture.It chemically bonds damaged veins together and removes them from the blood.After surgery, it is recommended to wear compression stockings.
The main disadvantage of sclerotherapy is that the procedure does not effectively harden the main (internal) veins.Another significant disadvantage of this method of removing dilated veins is the price.
laser coagulation
This method is one of the most popular today because it has many advantages.The surgery is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, and patients are advised to wear compression stockings for 1 month after surgery.
During the procedure, a light guide that emits thermal laser energy is inserted into the affected vein through special micropores in the skin.The fluid in the veins heats up and they stick together.With appropriate local anesthesia, patients usually do not experience any postoperative pain syndrome.
The main advantages of this surgery are that it is painless and has no recovery period.
There are only two disadvantages to laser coagulation: the procedure is expensive and the scar is small and in some cases does not heal even after several months.It is also worth noting that the interval between all surgeries is 1-2 weeks, so if the diseased vein is not removed once, repeat resection is only allowed after 1-2 weeks.
steam removal
It is also a fairly effective method of getting rid of varicose veins; in Europe it is used together with the above methods, but in the post-Soviet space it is less common.In 2010, when it was officially recognized by the medical community at the European Phlebology Forum, it won first place as the highest quality and original varicose vein removal procedure.
In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the vein through a micropore, through which controlled micropulses of heated water vapor are delivered into the vein.Under its action, the vein walls are compressed, the veins are completely closed and leave the blood system.You will need to wear compression stockings after surgery.
The surgery was performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia without any prior preparation.After the vein is removed, you can go home immediately and go to work the next day.
Thermal venous occlusion of steam micropulses has many advantages.First of all, this is the effectiveness of the operation in complex cases with extensive vein branches, large diameters or located in side branches (previously only the classic Varadi method was used to remove such veins).Additionally, this approach can be used after disease recurrence and thrombosis.
The main disadvantage is anesthesia; it is performed with the addition of epinephrine and therefore puts additional stress on the heart.Additionally, in some cases, people experience temporary loss of skin sensitivity and bleeding after steam removal of veins.
venous resection
This is a minimally invasive, low-invasive method of removing varicose veins that requires no prior preparation.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis using local tumescent anesthesia and lasts approximately 40 minutes.Once you're done, you can go home within a few hours.All puncture wounds on the skin will heal over time and become almost invisible.
During the procedure, the surgeon makes multiple punctures along the dilated vein and mechanically removes the diseased vein through these holes.Doctors use an ultrasound machine to monitor the progress of the surgery.Anesthesia lasts 6 to 10 hours.
The advantages of this intervention are cosmetic results and complete painlessness.It is also worth noting that this procedure is suitable for use in a variety of populations, including patients with ascending thrombophlebitis, as it is well tolerated.
This method has some disadvantages - hyperpigmentation of the skin along the removed veins (rare), bruising (which disappears without a trace after a while), deep vein thrombosis (isolated cases).To prevent thrombosis, it is recommended to wear compression stockings and limit physical activity for the first few days after phlebectomy.