VEIN STRIPPING SURGERY
Vein stripping is a surgical procedure done under general or local anaesthetic to remove varicose veins. The surgery involves making one or more incisions upon the desired area (usually the groin or leg) followed by insertion of a special wire into the vein. The wire is tied to and advanced through the vein to a desired depth. The vein is then pulled out from the body. The incisions are stitched up, and pressure dressings are applied to the incision.
Vein stripping is surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs. These veins are removed because they are large and painful, and they affect the way the leg looks.
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, painful veins that have filled with blood. They usually develop in the legs. Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing so it does not collect in one place. 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.
Vein stripping for this problem is done in a doctor’s office or clinic. Most people receive general anesthesia before this surgery. Will be unconscious and unable to feel pain. Vein stripping takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
vein stripping an outpatient procedure, or same-day operation. Usually, a patient is given general anesthesia. When patients are completely unconscious through anesthesia, a vascular surgeon makes small cuts in the skin to access varicose veins. These are then ligated (cut) and removed. Remainders of the veins are tied off to control bleeding.
Vein stripping is typically used to remove large varicose veins. Small varicose veins are not treated in the same manner. Instead, if a person needs small varicose veins removed, they have a procedure called sclerotherapy, which injects chemicals into small veins to close them. If both large and small varicose veins are present, vein stripping and sclerotherapy are usually done in separate treatments.
There are some complications from vein stripping that may occur, and some people who should probably not undergo vein stripping. Pregnant women should never undergo the procedure. Vein stripping may worsen the condition of those with poor leg circulation, and those who are elderly may be more at risk from the procedure.
What To Expect After Surgery ?
Vein ligation and stripping typically do not require a hospital stay and are done on an outpatient basis with regional or general anesthesia. Most people go home the same day of their surgery.
Most likely, you will be able to return to work within a few days. After several weeks, you can resume normal leisure and recreational activities.
How Well It Works ?
With testing to determine the location of varicose vein problems, vein ligation and stripping surgery removes varicose veins and prevents them from coming back in 9 out of 10 people.
Vein stripping can prevent venous skin ulcers from returning. According to one study, 28% of people who use only compression treatment have another ulcer. Of people who have vein stripping surgery and compression treatment, only 14% have another ulcer.
Risks
Vein ligation and stripping surgery has some risks, such as scarring and varicose veins recurring. In addition, if the deep vein system is damaged, surgery may make problems with blood flow in the veins worse. Varicose vein surgery has the same 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.
