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When all else fails, we have to go back to the basic. Surgery is used mostly to deal on very large varicose veins. There are several types of surgery for varicose veins. But let us consider the commonly used surgical method. This would be the surgical Ligation and Stripping.
Now what is being done in surgical ligation and stripping. It may be what you think it is. As by basing on the name itself, you can have a clue. Surgical Ligation and Stripping effectively treats problematic veins first by tying and shutting them up – ligation. Then, these veins are surgically removed from the leg – stripping. Removing the veins does not affect the circulation of blood in the leg. Veins deeper in the leg take care of the larger volumes of blood. Most varicose veins removed by surgery are surface veins and collect blood only from the skin. This surgery requires either local or general anesthesia and must be done in an operating room on an outpatient basis.
What are the possible side effects? For you to know, there are serious side effects or problems from this surgery, but the likelihood of the occurrence are not common. Here are the problems that can possibly arise:
Ø Because the procedure necessitates the use of a general anesthesia, a risk of heart and breathing problems may occur.
Ø Damage of nerve tissue around the treated vein. It is hard to avoid harming small nerve branches when veins are removed. This damage can cause numbness, burning, or a change in sensation around the surgical scar.
Ø Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
Ø A deep vein blood clot. These clots can travel to the lungs and heart. Injections of heparin, a medicine that reduces blood clotting reduce the chance of these dangerous blood clots. But, heparin also can increase the normal amount of bleeding and bruising after surgery.
Ø Bleeding and congestion of blood can be a problem. But the collected blood usually settles on its own and does not require any further treatment.
Ø Permanent scars.
Ø Pain in the leg and recovery time of one to four weeks depending on the extent of surgery is typical after surgery.