Over the past 20-30 years, many different innovative methods have been invented to eliminate varicose veins and diseased veins.If earlier phlebologists used only classical surgery for this purpose, today they use biological glue, laser, steam, radiofrequency intervention, etc. 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 a needle, through a puncture, through a small incision) and do not require a long recovery period after surgery.
Therefore, today in our article we will talk in detail about how veins are removed for 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 because no scars or cicatrices remain on the body after this procedure, 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 tip 7 centimeters long, which emits radiofrequency energy, heats the vessels, causing them to stick together.The operation is carried out under the control of an ultrasound machine, so the doctor has full control over 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 in the most sensitive areas of the body.Another advantage is that it is not necessary to take painkillers after the operation, and in addition, the procedure itself is not very painful.
A significant disadvantage of such an intervention is the price, which is an order of magnitude higher than the same laser coagulation, so in the post-Soviet space, when removing varicose veins, this method is used relatively less than in the United States.
Bio-adhesive Venaseal
This innovative technique was invented in the USA and has been successfully applied in 5 countries since 2010.This procedure is completely painless, does not require much time and is performed on an outpatient basis without any painkillers (no need to go to the hospital).Once it's done, you can go straight home and do your thing.
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 takes place under the full supervision of a doctor;he observes in real time how the diseased vessels stick together and turn into connective tissue through an ultrasound machine.The operation does not cause any harm to the body, nor does bioglue itself, it is an environmentally friendly substance and does not even cause allergic reactions.
There are many advantages of this technology for vein removal for varicose veins.First of all, the complete absence of the rehabilitation period;after gluing the veins with bioglue, it is not even necessary to wear compression stockings, as in other minimally invasive methods of removing dilated veins.The person can go about his business immediately after the transaction.
Another advantage of this method is its absolute painlessness and complete lack of initial preparation.During the operation, visual changes already begin to appear, the veins stick together and disappear before our eyes, the skin becomes smooth, nodules and tubercles disappear.
Disadvantages of the procedure include its high cost and the fact that it is performed in only five countries of the world, including Latvia.Therefore, not everyone will be able to eliminate varicose veins using this method.
Sclerotherapy
A method very similar to the previous one, but less effective than the main veins (internal).In about 25-35% of cases, the main vessels can be only partially closed, and this is fraught with repeated surgery.However, for superficial veins, for those that protrude above the skin, this procedure has proven itself quite well.
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a special substance, sclerosant, into the vein affected by varicose veins through a puncture.This is what chemically glues the damaged vein together and removes it from the bloodstream.It is recommended to wear compression stockings after surgery.
The main disadvantage of sclerotherapy is that the procedure is ineffective in sclerosing the main (internal) vessels.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 many advantages.This operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, 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 is heated and they stick together.With properly applied local anesthesia, patients, as a rule, do not experience postoperative pain syndrome.
The main advantage of this operation is that it is painless and there is no recovery time.
Laser coagulation has only two disadvantages: the high cost of the procedure and, in some cases, small scars that do not heal even after several months.It should also be noted that all procedures are performed with an interval of 1-2 weeks, therefore, if the diseased veins are not removed at once, their re-extraction is allowed only after 1-2 weeks.
Steam removal
It is also a fairly effective procedure to eliminate varicose veins;In Europe, it is used in combination with the methods described above, but is less common in the post-Soviet space.When it was officially recognized by the medical community at the European Phlebology Forum in 2010, it took first place as the best quality and original operation for the removal of varicose veins.
During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the vein through a microhole, through which controlled micropulses of heated water vapor are delivered to it.With its action, the venous walls are compressed, the vein is completely closed and leaves the circulatory system.Compression stockings are required after the procedure.
The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, without any preliminary preparation.After the vein is removed, you can go home immediately and go to work the next day.
Endovenous thermal occlusion of steam micropulses has several advantages.First of all, it is the effectiveness of the operation in complex cases with wide branching of vessels, large diameter or located in side branches (previously such vessels were removed only by the classic Varadi method).In addition, this method can be used after disease relapses and thrombosis.
The main drawback is anesthesia;it is done by adding adrenaline and therefore can put extra stress on the heart.Also, in some cases, people experience temporary loss of skin sensitivity and bleeding after steam removal of veins.
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 anesthetic and lasts about 40 minutes.You can go home within a few hours of completion.All punctures on the skin heal after a while and become almost invisible.
During the operation, the surgeon makes several punctures along the dilated vein and mechanically removes the patient's vein through these holes.The doctor monitors the progress of the procedure using an ultrasound device.Anesthesia lasts from 6 to 10 hours.
The advantages of such an intervention are high cosmetic effect and complete absence of pain.It should also be noted that since such an operation is well tolerated, it is available to a wide range of people, including people with ascending thrombophlebitis.
This method has several disadvantages - hyperpigmentation of the skin along the removed vein (in rare cases), bruising (resolves after a while without leaving a trace), deep vein thrombosis (isolated cases).To prevent the development of thrombosis, it is recommended to wear compression stockings and limit physical activity in the first days after vein removal.