Over the past 20-30 years, many different innovative methods have been invented to remove diseased varicose veins.If previously phlebologists used only classic surgery for this purpose, today they already use biological glue, laser, steam, radiofrequency intervention and much more 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.
Therefore, in our today's article, we will talk in detail about how modern methods are used to remove veins for varicose veins and consider their main disadvantages and advantages.
Radiofrequency intervention
This method is especially popular in the United States of America and has gained so much popularity due to the fact that after this procedure no scars or scars remain on the body, as for example after laser vein removal.Also, the advantage of this method compared to laser coagulation is its safety for the most sensitive and delicate parts of the body (genital organs, 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, heating the veins and causing them to close.The operation is performed under the control of an ultrasound machine, so that the doctor fully controls the course of the procedure through the monitor in all phases.
The main advantage of radiofrequency catheter ablation is that it can be used even on the most sensitive parts of the body.Another advantage is that you do not need to take painkillers after the operation, and besides, 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, therefore this technique is used relatively less often in the post-Soviet space, when removing varicose veins, 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 any pain relief (no need to go to the hospital).After its completion, you can immediately go home and do 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.The entire procedure takes place under the full supervision of a doctor;he observes in real time through an ultrasound machine how the diseased veins connect and turn into connective tissue.The operation does not cause any harm to the body, nor does the bioglue itself, because 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 biologic vein gluing, you don't even need to wear compression stockings, as with most other minimally invasive varicose vein removal methods.The person can go back to work immediately after the surgery.
Another advantage of this method is its absolute painlessness and complete absence of preliminary preparation.Visual changes become visible already during the operation, veins merge and disappear before the eyes, the skin becomes smooth, nodules and tubercles disappear.
Among the disadvantages of the procedure, only the high price and the fact that it is carried out in only five countries of the world, including Latvia, can be highlighted.Therefore, not everyone will be able to afford the removal of varicose veins using 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 major veins can be closed only partially, and this is accomplished by repeated surgery.However, for superficial veins, those that protrude above the skin, this procedure has performed quite well.
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a special substance, a sclerosant, into the vein affected by varicose veins with a single puncture.This is what chemically bonds 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, because it has a huge number of advantages.This operation 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 that emits 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 properly applied local anesthesia, patients usually do not feel 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 are not removed at once, their re-removal is allowed only after 1-2 weeks.
Steam removal
It is also a fairly 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 at the European Phlebology Forum, it took first place as the highest quality and original operation for the removal of varicose veins.
During this procedure, a catheter is introduced into the vein through a micro-hole, through which controlled micropulses of heated water vapor are delivered to it.Under its action, the vein walls are compressed, the vein closes completely and leaves the bloodstream.Compression stockings are required after the procedure.
The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, without prior preparation.After vein removal, you can go home immediately and go to work the next day.
Endovenous thermal occlusion of steam micropulses has many advantages.First of all, it is the effectiveness of the operation in complex cases when the veins have extensive branching, a large diameter or are located in side branches (previously, such veins were removed only by the classic Varadi method).In addition, this method can be used for disease relapses and after thrombosis.
The main disadvantage is anesthesia;it is carried out with the addition of adrenaline, and therefore can put additional strain on the heart.Also, in some cases, people experience temporary loss of skin sensitivity and bleeding after steam vein removal.
Miniphlebectomy
This is a minimally invasive and low-traumatic method of 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, within a few hours you can go home.All punctures on the skin heal after some time and become almost invisible.
During the operation, the surgeon makes several punctures along the enlarged vein and mechanically removes the diseased vein through these holes.The doctor monitors the course of the procedure with the help of 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 they are well tolerated.
This method has several disadvantages - hyperpigmentation of the skin along the removed vein (rare), bruises (dissolve without a trace after a while), deep vein thrombosis (isolated cases).In order to prevent the development of thrombosis, it is recommended to wear compression stockings and limit physical activity in the first days after vein removal.