Varicose Vein Stripping
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Definition
Vein stripping is surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs.
Alternative Names
Vein stripping with ligation, avulsion, or ablation; Saphenous vein ligation
Description
Varicose veins are swollen, painful veins that have filled with blood. They usually develop in the legs.
- Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing forward, so the blood does not collect in one place.
- The valves in varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to become filled with blood, especially when you are standing.
Vein stripping is usually done when a large vein in the leg called the superficial saphenous vein is thick and rope-like.
Vein stripping usually takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Most people receive either:
- General anesthesia and will be asleep and unable to feel pain.
- Spinal anesthesia, which will make the lower half of your body feel numb. You may also get medicine to help you relax.
Your surgeon will make two small surgical cuts in your leg.
- The cuts will be near the top and bottom of your damaged vein. One will be in your groin. The other will be farther down your leg, either in your calf or ankle.
- Your surgeon will then thread a thin, flexible plastic wire into the vein through your groin and guide the wire through the vein toward the other cut farther down your leg.
- The wire is then tied to the vein and pulled out through the lower cut, which pulls the vein out with it.
If you have other damaged veins, your surgeon may also make small cuts over them to remove them or tie them off.
The doctor will close the cuts with stitches (sutures). You will have bandages and compression stockings on your leg after the procedure.
Why the Procedure Is Performed
Vein stripping may be recommended for:
Leg pain that feels heavy or tired
Ulcers or sores that are caused by too much pressure in the veins (venous ulcers)
Blood clots or swelling (inflammation) in the veins (
phlebitis)
Improving the appearance of the leg
Fatty tissue under the skin that hardens over time from high blood pressure in a vein (lipodermatosclerosis)
Today, doctors are doing fewer vein stripping surgeries because there are newer, non-surgical ways to treat varicose veins. These other treatments are less painful and have a much faster recovery time.
See also: Varicose Vein - noninvasive treatment
References
Brar R, Nordon IM, Hinchliffe RJ, Loftus IM, Thompson MM. Surgical management of varicose veins: meta-analysis. Vascular. 2010;18(4):205-220.
Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 68.
Nijsten T, van den Bos RR, Goldman MP, et al. Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of saphenous varicose veins. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60(1):110-119.
Review Date: 5/6/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Vein stripping with ligation, avulsion, or ablation; Saphenous vein ligation
After the Procedure
Your legs will be wrapped with bandages to control swelling and bleeding for 3 - 5 days after surgery. You may need to keep them wrapped for several weeks.
When you are resting, try to keep your legs raised higher than the level of your heart. Place pillows or blankets under your legs to raise them up.
You may also wear compression stockings. These help improve blood flow. It is very important to keep your bandages and compression stockings on until all the surgical cuts have healed. Your doctor will tell you when you no longer need them. To prevent varicose veins from coming back, you may have to wear compression stockings for a long time.
Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine. Take the medication before your pain gets severe. Do NOT drive or use machinery if you are taking narcotic pain medicine. The medicine will make you sleepy, and it will not be safe for you to drive or operate machines.
Take at least 10 to 12 short walks a day, for 5 to 10 minutes each. Do not sit or stand in one place for too long.
You will probably be able to return to your normal routine in 2 weeks. However, you should not do strenuous physical activity for 3 to 6 weeks. You should be able to shower 2 days after surgery.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Surgical vein stripping is usually very successful. It reduces pain and improves the appearance of your leg. Rarely, vein stripping causes scars.
References
Brar R, Nordon IM, Hinchliffe RJ, Loftus IM, Thompson MM. Surgical management of varicose veins: meta-analysis. Vascular. 2010;18(4):205-220.
Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 68.
Nijsten T, van den Bos RR, Goldman MP, et al. Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of saphenous varicose veins. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60(1):110-119.
Review Date: 5/6/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Vein stripping with ligation, avulsion, or ablation; Saphenous vein ligation
Risks
Vein stripping is usually safe. Ask your doctor about any problems that might occur.
The risks from any anesthesia include:
The risks from any surgery include:
The risks from vein stripping include:
- Bruising or scarring
- Nerve injury
- Return of varicose veins over time
References
Brar R, Nordon IM, Hinchliffe RJ, Loftus IM, Thompson MM. Surgical management of varicose veins: meta-analysis. Vascular. 2010;18(4):205-220.
Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 68.
Nijsten T, van den Bos RR, Goldman MP, et al. Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of saphenous varicose veins. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60(1):110-119.
Review Date: 5/6/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Review Date: 5/6/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.