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Definition
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins that can occur anywhere a vein is close to your skin. Varicose veins occur most often in the legs.
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Symptoms
- Pain in the legs: fullness, heaviness, aching
- Visible, enlarged veins
- Mild swelling of ankles
- Skin at the ankle discolored brown
- Skin ulcers near the ankle
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Non Invasive Testing
To identify where and how badly your veins are damaged, you may have tests to evaluate blood flow. These non-invasive tests are painless and do not use needles, dyes, or x-rays.
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Doppler Evaluation
During a doppler evaluation, your doctor, nurse, or trained technician uses a special stethoscope to listen for changes in blood flow that may indicate a clot or valve problem.
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Duplex Imaging
This technique bounces sound waves off of your vein to create an image that shows the size and shape of your vein, as well as the amount of blood flowing through it.
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Self Care
Your doctor may suggest that you try self care. Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight may keep problem veins from getting worse. Wearing elastic stockings and elevating your legs can help improve blood flow. Taking breaks when you sit or stand helps, too.
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Surgical Treatments
Your surgery will be tailored to your needs. Varicose veins may be tied off (ligation) or removed. Blood will then flow through the healthy veins. One or more of the following techniques may be used.
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Tri-Vex Procedure
The TRIVEX System was designed to provide the surgeon a faster, easier, and more efficient method for removing varicose veins. Patented and clinically tested, the TRIVEX System removes varicose veins through illumination, resection, and tumescence using only 2 - 3 incisions.
Developed by a surgeon, the TRIVEX System uses transillumination to clearly identify all targeted veins and allow for their complete removal. A powered resector does the work of excising the targeted veins. Tumescent infiltration is used for hydrodissection and flushes the area of blood with use of Tumescent Anesthesia. Taking usually half the time as the conventional procedure, the results are a shorter, easier recovery with good cosmesis.
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Ligation
In some cases, the surgeon may tie off the greater saphenous vein. Smaller branching veins may also be tied off to remove.
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Microphlebectomy
A special hook is used to gently take out a varicose vein through tiny incisions. Microphlebectomy may be done in your doctor's office.
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Stripping
If the saphenous vein is severely damaged, all or part of the vein may be removed with a stripping instrument.
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