Vein surgery is performed to treat varicose and "spider" veins. These vein conditions rarely pose a serious health risk, but they may cause discomfort: aches and pains or a throbbing sensation. Many people also consider the blue or dark-purple veins to be unsightly and have them removed for cosmetic reasons. While other treatments are available, surgical removal of veins is the best option for some patients. Although the surgery corrects the problem, patients should be aware of potential side effects.
Significance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that serious side effects of vein surgery are uncommon. Patients undergoing any type of vein surgery might experience swelling and redness of the treated area. Follow your doctor's home care instructions to minimize possible side effects. Such instructions might include changing the wound's dressing to avoid infection and wearing compression bandages or stockings if needed.
Types
Four types of surgery are used to treat varicose and spider veins: surgical ligation and stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy, laser surgery and endoscopic vein surgery. Surgical ligation and stripping poses the highest number of possible side effects; still, serious medical complications are rare.
Surgical Ligation and Stripping
This treatment involves surgery. A doctor ties the varicose vein shut, then completely removes it from the leg. Patients receive local or general anesthesia prior to surgery. Side effects can include infection, inflammation, redness and swelling of the wound, permanent scars, nerve tissue damage around the treated vein, and bleeding. A patient might develop a blood clot or significant pain in the treated area during recovery. There is also a risk of heart or breathing problems during surgery because of general anesthesia.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This surgery is less invasive than surgical ligation. Tiny incisions are made in the skin and surgical hooks are used to remove the vein through the incisions. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area beforehand. Possible side effects include slight bruising, small scars and a temporary numbness that can last several hours.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery is performed by inserting a thin laser fiber into the vein. The fiber is then slowly removed as the laser energy flows through the fiber, causing the walls of the vein to collapse. After the procedure, skin may appear dark or discolored, but this should fade within a few months. Patients should take care to protect the skin from the sun during the first two weeks of recovery, because sun exposure can worsen discoloration and cause dark spots. Laser surgery can cause burns and scarring in some cases, but this is usually the result of an improperly performed procedure.
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