Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drugs & Supplements Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Varicose vein therapy

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Circulatory system
Circulatory system

Alternative Names    Return to top

Vein stripping; Sclerotherapy of veins; Endovenous ablation therapy

Definition    Return to top

Varicose vein therapy is used to treat enlarged veins (varicose veins) that have problems with their valves.

Description    Return to top

Varicose veins usually occur in the legs. Normally, valves in your veins keep blood flowing. But the valves in varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when you are standing.

Varicose veins treatments help remove non-moving (stagnant) blood and re-route blood flow through deeper veins in the legs. There are several types of treatment:

Today, fewer doctors are performing the traditional vein stripping surgery as more patients choose the less invasive endovenous ablation procedure. The endovenous ablation procedure has shown to work the same as or better than surgery. Patients have significantly less pain and a quicker recovery.

Why the Procedure is Performed    Return to top

Varicose vein therapy may be recommended for:

Risks    Return to top

The risks for any anesthesia include:

The risks for any surgery include:

Unique risks of endovenous varicose vein surgery include:

Unique risks to sclerotherapy treatment include:

Risks associated with any treatment for varicose veins include:

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Most patients who undergo varicose vein surgery have good results. Some patients, however, have inflammation and skin discoloration that last for several months following surgery.

Talk to your physician about these risks and your chances for good results.

Recovery    Return to top

After endovenous ablation therapy and sclerotherapy the patient can almost immediately resume most of their normal activities. Surgical stripping usually requires at least 3 – 7 days rest, but you could need up to several weeks.

After treatment your legs are wrapped tightly in bandages. Walking is possible the day of surgery. In fact, walking is encouraged to minimize swelling and avoid the risk of deep venous thrombosis, especially with catheter or endovenous treatment.

It is important that feet are kept raised above the heart whenever possible.

Update Date: 12/22/2006

Updated by: Janet L. Albright, MD, General & Vascular Associates, Reno, NV. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.