Varicose Vein Stripping
Vein stripping means the removal, or excision, of large veins and the closing off of smaller vein tributaries. The removal of smaller veins with a method called as small incision avulsion is usually done with vein stripping. Vein stripping is commonly used for improving the appearance of the legs and for relieving the symptoms of varicose veins, permanently and unnaturally distended veins that lie directly beneath the skin.
The body possesses veins which are located close to the surface of the skin that helps in returning oxygen-depleted blood to the heart. As superficial vein walls weaken and stretch because of heredity or age, blood can begin to flow backward and gets collected inside the veins. This may lead to increased pressure which can permanently damage the elastic vein walls.
When the walls of veins in the leg bloat and stretch out of shape, the valves that usually prevent blood from flowing backward also turns out to be distorted and the veins can start to malfunction. As varicose veins or spider veins may occur.
Varicose veins appear as blue, twisted and bulging veins, visible through the skin on legs of a person. If varicose veins are left untreated they can cause heaviness or tiredness in the legs. Affected areas of the leg may also burn or ache.
In severe cases, they can lead to swollen ankles and dry, scaly skin.
The main goals of vein stripping are to relieve pain, to improve the appearance of a person’s leg and to improve circulation by means of the venous system through removing pathways of blood reflux. Vein stripping involves the removal of the Saphenous vein in the leg and any varicose tributary veins.
When is it indicated?
Physicians decide to carry out vein stripping after a thorough duplex ultrasound evaluation of the veins which shows whether the veins are diseased and malfunctioning or not.
Pre-treatment guidelines
Vein stripping is usually an outpatient procedure, but it is mostly performed in operating room making use of occasionally or general, spinal anesthesia.
Possible complications
The risks of vein stripping are usually small, because the procedure is normally performed in people who are in generally good health. As in any vein surgery, blood clots are a main concern.
Certain complications can take place with any surgery wanting general anesthesia. They consist of: Allergic reactions, breathing problems, bleeding and infection.
Other complications are specific to vein stripping, consisting of bruises, reappearance of varicose veins and nerve injury.