Varicose vein surgery by stripping or saphenectomy

Varicose veins are the result of circulatory problems in the legs, which cause swelling and dilation of the veins. This process is progressive, gradually increasing the size of the veins, leading to possible complications such as phlebitis, pigmentation, thrombosis or bleeding. In these cases, the best option is Varicose Vein Surgery.

To avoid future complications related to varicose veins, the best option is the Varicose Vein Operation, saphenectomy or stripping (1 leg).

Varicose veins occur due to circulation problems in the legs, causing swelling and dilation of the veins. They appear little by little and with time they dilate, acquiring significant dimensions and allowing the development of complications such as phlebitis, pigmentation, thrombosis or bleeding. 

Among the causes of their appearance are overweight or pregnancy, working while standing or being exposed to constant heat sources.

Varicose vein surgery is often performed for both medical and cosmetic reasons, because they are visible on the surface of the skin of the legs. 

There are also asymptomatic varicose veins, but the common symptoms are tired legs, oedema, swelling, cramps or itching (in addition to the aforementioned pigmentation of the skin). Beyond aesthetic reasons, there are medically relevant reasons to require their removal.

• Varicose thrombosis: Clots form in the veins preventing normal blood flow.
• Phlebitis: Inflammation of the veins due to clots or thrombi.
• Varicose vein haemorrhages: Varicose veins rupture and haemorrhage occurs.
• Pigmentation and skin disorders: This is the most common, varicose veins become visible and cause itching and the possibility of ulcers.
• Venous ulcers: These take the form of a sore on the leg and can become complicated.

They are more common in women than in men, affecting 1 in 4 people.

The origin of most varicose veins is usually the internal and external saphenous veins located on the surface of the leg. To eliminate varicose veins, all of them are removed.

There are three types of varicose vein removal operations:

Conventional surgery by stripping

This surgery, which is performed under general or epidural anaesthesia, consists of the removal of the internal or external saphenous veins, which are the most common cause of varicose veins. 

Other techniques are used for smaller varicose veins. The doctor makes two incisions, one in the groyne and one in the lower leg, knee or ankle. The damaged vein is ligated by cutting the groyne to prevent bleeding. 

Using a thin, flexible wire, the surgeon will remove the vein through the lower incision. It is a slightly more invasive operation than the others, but it eliminates much of the likelihood of varicose veins recurring. Once completed, the incisions are stitched. 

The surgery lasts between an hour and an hour and a half.

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Surgery with Chiva method

The main characteristic of the CHIVA method (Haemodynamic cure of ambulatory venous insufficiency) is that it is an ambulatory surgery that does not require rest. 

It is a conservative method that does not require extirpations like the conventional method, and requires a previous ecodoppler study (ultrasound) to find out exactly where the complication is, which is marked to perform the operation. 

This technique is used to remove large and medium-sized varicose veins. The surgery consists of ligating the dilated veins so that the blood flows through the lateral veins. After about 3 months, the varicose veins will have completely disappeared. The surgery takes about an hour.

Endolaser surgery

This is a minimally invasive technique. It consists of eliminating varicose veins by transmitting heat to them using a laser. This is done under local anaesthesia to avoid the pain caused by this heat in the adjacent areas.

This operation is quick and simple and after the operation only a bandage is required to compress the treated areas. 

The surgery takes about 45 minutes. 

Sometimes a laser is not enough and another type of surgery is required to eliminate the problem completely.

Recovery from varicose vein surgery is not usually very long, but there are variations depending on the technique used.

In the case of conventional surgery, a hospital stay of between one and three days is required, as well as ten days of rest. 

On the other hand, in the case of surgery using the CHIVA method, a large percentage of patients (over 75%) go back to normal life on the same day of the operation.

The only thing that needs to be done is an annual follow-up to avoid problems or the appearance of varicose veins in other areas. 

In the case of the laser surgery, no recovery is required either, just a bandage on the leg to put pressure on the treated area.

There are physical advantages, such as eliminating pain and avoiding the likelihood of complications, and aesthetic advantages with the removal of varicose veins.

Regarding the risks, there are the same risks as with any other operation, such as those related to anaesthesia or those of any surgery (bleeding or infection, blood clots). 

As additional risks to this surgery, we find the possibility of damage to the nerves of the skin, which improves in a few weeks or a couple of months; appearance of lumps near where the vein was removed, disappearing in a few weeks; and finally damage to the deeper veins, which is very unusual, as are the other risks, but in the event that it occurs, repair surgery should be performed.

The cost of the saphenectomy or varicose veins stripping (1 leg) is all-inclusive, that is to say, it includes everything necessary to perform the surgical procedure under the greatest safety, guaranteed by the quality of the hospital and the experience of the Vascular Surgery Service.

The cost of the saphenectomy or varicose veins stripping (1 leg) with Operarme is €2,090. 

This price includes:

• Preoperative study (blood tests, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray according to medical indications).
• Booking and use of the operating theatre.
• Stay in a single room with a spare bed, food and clothing for the patient.
• Post-operative visits.
• Medical fees.
• Anaesthesiologist fees.
• Nursing team fees.
• Surgical material necessary for the operation.
• Anaesthesia and recovery room bookings.
• Medical complications insurance, which covers possible eventualities that may occur, although this is very rare.

In addition, Operarme offers its patients a free transfer service at the company's expense for the day of admission and discharge, avoiding the need to take the car (which is not recommended). 

On the other hand, all our patients have direct contact with our patient service team to solve any questions that may arise.

If you would like more information about this surgery, or about how Operarme works, please do not hesitate to contact us through our contact form, by calling at +34 91 141 33 56 or request a free surgical assessment consultation with our specialists, by clicking below:

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