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Varicose Vein Surgery
Alternate Names : Sclerotherapy of Veins, Vein Stripping
DefinitionVaricose vein surgery is used to remove or treat enlarged and/or twisted veins (varicose veins).
Pictures & Images
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Overview & Description
Varicose veins usually occur in the legs. The valves in the veins become damaged or are absent, causing the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when you are standing. Varicose veins can be treated by removal (vein stripping) or by injection with a substance that causes the veins to scar closed (sclerotherapy). Removing or treating varicose veins does not cause circulation problems because veins can re-route themselves around a blockage. This is called "collateral circulation."
Vein stripping is done while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). Incisions are made at the bottom (ankle end) and at the top (groin end) of the varicose vein. A thin wire-like instrument is inserted into the vein that to strip the vein from the inside. Small incisions can also be made over the veins to remove them.
Vein sclerotherapy is done while the patient is standing. A sclerosing agent is injected into each varicose vein to cause scarring. An elastic bandage is wrapped snugly around the legs after the procedure.
Many times, both procedures are performed; some veins are stripped and others are sclerosed.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Varicose Vein Surgery: Overview & Description
• Varicose Vein Surgery: Indications
• Varicose Vein Surgery: Expectations after Surgery
• Varicose Vein Surgery: Convalescence & Recovery
• Varicose Vein Surgery: Risks
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Blood Clots
• Deep Venous Thrombosis
• Thrombophlebitis
• Varicose Veins
• Venous Insufficiency
Other Topics
• Bleeding
• Bleeding Into the Skin
• Breathing Difficulty
• Swelling
• Ulcers
Review Date : 11/24/2002
Reviewed By : Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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