ADVICE HEALTH
“I have heavy, tired legs in the evenings. The doctor found varicose veins and recommended that I have them removed surgically. But I’m afraid of scars ».
Christine U., 56 years Jürg Gresser answers:
The varicose veins, also called varices, are the most common disease of the veins. Around 50 percent of people have more or less pronounced varicose veins. 15 percent of those affected have varicose veins that require treatment.
Varices are extensions of the veins and usually appear as tortuous, bead-like, blue strands on the legs. In addition to the cosmetically disruptive effect, varices are pathological because the venous valves inside the vessels no longer close properly and the blood can no longer flow back to the heart. The blood sags – following the force of gravity – into the legs. The heavy legs, swelling, unsightly color changes of the skin and in extreme cases even open wounds (ulcers) are the result. After a detailed medical history and clinical examination of the legs using duplex ultrasound, a vein specialist will determine the direction of the blood flow (venous valves), the patency of the deep venous system and the exact extent of the varices.
There are several surgical methods with which the affected trunk veins can be removed (open stripping) or destroyed (laser). At AMEOS Spital Einsiedeln, we prefer the laser (laser ablation) to the cold method (cryoablation) or heat treatment (thermal ablation). With the endovenous laser method, the probe is advanced and activated by means of a puncture under ultrasound control, and withdrawn gradually. The vein sticks together, shrinks and is broken down by the body.
Side branches are pulled out and removed using small stitches with special hooks. Spider veins are treated with laser or sclerotherapy. With these modern methods, surgical incisions can be minimized and placed in favorable positions (groin, hollow of the knee). Good compression after the procedure is crucial to avoid an unsightly bruise.
If you have any questions for our experts, or if you would like to ask us a question about a different medical topic, please contact the specialists at AMEOS Spital Einsiedeln: [email protected] einsiedeln. ameos. ch
Dr. with. Jürg Gresser
FMH specialist in surgery, chief surgeon, AMEOS Spital Einsiedeln
–
