Over the past 20-30 years, many different innovative methods have been invented to remove diseased varicose veins.If earlier phlebologists used only classical surgery for this purpose, today they already use biological glue, laser, steam, radio frequency intervention and many others for this purpose.
The great advantage of modern methods for removing varicose veins is that almost all of them are 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.
That is why in today's article we will talk in detail about how to remove varicose veins using modern methods and consider their main disadvantages and advantages.
Radio frequency interference
This method is especially popular in the United States of America and has gained such popularity due to the fact that after this procedure there are no scars or scars on the body, as for example after laser vein removal.Also, the advantage of this method over laser coagulation is its safety for the most sensitive and delicate 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 nozzle 7 centimeters long, which emits radiofrequency energy, heats the veins and causes them to stick together.The operation is performed under the control of an ultrasound machine, so the doctor fully controls the course of the procedure through the monitor at all stages.
The main advantage of radiofrequency catheter ablation is that it can be used even on the most vulnerable 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, it is an order of magnitude higher than that of the same laser coagulation, which is why this technique in the post-Soviet space when removing varicose veins is used relatively less often than in the United States.
Bio-adhesive Venaseal
This innovative technique was invented in the USA and has been successfully used in 5 countries since 2010. This procedure is absolutely painless, does not take much time and is performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia (no need to go to the hospital).After its completion, you can immediately go home and watch your work.
In the process of minimally invasive intervention, a special catheter is inserted into the affected vein through a puncture and filled with bioglue through it.The entire procedure is performed under the full control of a doctor;he observes in real time through an ultrasound machine how diseased veins stick together and turn into connective tissue.The operation does not cause any harm to the body, nor the bioglue itself, as it is an environmentally friendly substance and does not even cause allergic reactions.
There are many advantages to this vein removal technology for varicose veins.First of all, there is a complete lack of a rehabilitation period;after gluing the veins with bioglue, you don't even need to wear compression stockings, as with most other minimally invasive methods of varicose vein removal.The person can go back to work immediately after the operation.
Another advantage of this method is its absolute painlessness and complete lack of preliminary preparation.Visual changes become visible already during the operation, veins coalesce and disappear before our eyes, skin becomes smooth, nodules and tubercles disappear.
Among the disadvantages of the procedure, one can note only the high price and the fact that it is carried out in only five countries in the world, including Latvia.Therefore, not everyone will be able to afford the removal of varicose veins with this method.
Sclerotherapy
A method very similar to the previous one, but less effective in relation to the main veins (internal).In approximately 25-35% of cases, the main veins can be closed only partially, and this is fraught with reoperation.However, for superficial veins, those that protrude above the skin, this procedure has proven itself quite well.
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a special substance, a sclerosant, into the vein affected by varicose veins through a single puncture.This is what chemically seals the damaged vein and removes it from the bloodstream.After surgery, it is recommended to wear compression stockings.
The main disadvantage of sclerotherapy is that the procedure is ineffective in sclerosing the main (internal) veins.Another significant disadvantage of this method of removing varicose veins is the price.
Laser coagulation
This method is one of the most popular today, as it has a huge number of advantages.This surgery is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, after which patients are advised to wear compression stockings for 1 month.
During the procedure, a light guide emitting thermal laser energy is inserted into the affected vein through a special micro-hole in the skin.The fluid in the veins heats up and they stick together.With correctly applied local anesthesia, patients usually do not experience postoperative pain syndrome.
The main advantage of this operation is that it is painless and there is no recovery period.
There are only two disadvantages of laser coagulation: the high cost of the procedure and small scars, which 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, so if the diseased veins were not removed at once, then their re-removal is allowed 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.In 2010, when it was officially recognized by the medical community of the European Forum of Phlebology, it took first place as the best quality and original operation to remove varicose veins.
During this procedure, a catheter is inserted through a microhole into the vein, through which controlled micropulses of heated water vapor are delivered.Under its action, the venous walls are compressed, the vein closes completely and leaves the circulatory system.Compression stockings are required after the procedure.
The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, without prior preparation.After removing the vein, you can immediately go home and go to work the next day.
Intravenous vapor micropulse thermal occlusion has several advantages.First of all, this is the effectiveness of the operation in complex cases, when the veins have extensive branches, a large diameter or are located in side branches (before such veins were removed only by the classic Varadi method).In addition, this method can be used for relapses of the disease and after thrombosis.
The main disadvantage is anesthesia;it is conducted with the addition of adrenaline and therefore can put extra strain on the heart.Also, in some cases, people experience temporary loss of skin sensation and bleeding after steam vein removal.
Miniphlebectomy
This is a minimally invasive and low-traumatic method for removing varicose veins that does not require prior preparation.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local tumescent anesthesia and lasts about 40 minutes.After its completion, you can go home within a few hours.All skin breaks heal after some time and become almost invisible.
During the operation, the surgeon makes several punctures along the length of the dilated vein and mechanically removes the diseased vein through these openings.The doctor monitors the progress of the procedure using an ultrasound machine.Anesthesia lasts from 6 to 10 hours.
The advantages of such an intervention are a high cosmetic effect and complete absence of pain.It is also worth noting that such an operation is available to a wide range of people, including people with ascending thrombophlebitis, as it is well tolerated.
This method has several disadvantages - hyperpigmentation of the skin along the removed vein (rare), bruises (disappear without a trace after some time), deep vein thrombosis (isolated cases).To prevent the development of thrombosis, it is recommended to wear compression stockings and limit physical activity during the first days after vein removal.