Postoperative period after varicose vein surgery by saphenectomy

• To solve the discomfort and appearance of varicose veins, one of the most common procedures is saphenectomy surgery, which is one of the methods that guarantees the complete elimination of venous dilatations.
• Thanks to the treatment and the subsequent recovery process, patients are able to return to complete normality in just three weeks, without pain or marks on the skin.
• The postoperative period for varicose vein surgery by saphenectomy is simple, although it is important to follow all medical instructions to avoid complications.

In this article, we reveal some of the most important things to consider if you are considering varicose vein removal surgery, whether it's your particular situation or if you need more information to help someone close to you make a decision.

As you may already know, varicose veins are caused by circulation problems in the legs, mainly due to a problem commonly referred to as chronic venous insufficiency. 

This problem causes blood to accumulate in the veins of some areas of the body, the legs being the point where it most often occurs, dilating the veins and becoming visible through the skin.

You should know that although the most common surgery for the treatment of varicose veins is saphenectomy or stripping, laser treatment is also possible. 

The surgical intervention consists of the removal of the internal or external saphenous veins, as these are the veins in which varicose veins usually form.

To perform saphenectomy, the specialist makes an incision in the groin and another one in the lower leg, either in the knee or in the ankle, depending on the area to be removed. The remaining vein at the top is ligated, which prevents bleeding.

After ligation, a thin, flexible cable called a phlebo extractor is introduced, which is used to pull the affected vein until it is extracted through the lower incision (ankle or knee). 

Once the affected saphenous veins have been removed, the secondary veins detected as diseased are removed by means of microsurgery.

This is a slightly aggressive surgery, but it allows the varicose vein to be completely removed and eliminates the possibility of it recurring after it has been removed.

After the surgery, which lasts approximately 45 minutes, you will have to stay in hospital for at least one day, resting and under the supervision of the medical team, who will make sure that everything has gone well after the surgical procedure.

You should be aware that it is very likely that during the first few weeks after the operation you will experience some of the following symptoms:

• Increase in temperature in the operated area.
• Appearance of bruising on the leg.
• Feeling of hardness when touching the leg.
• Slight pain in the leg.
• Temporary change in the colour of the skin of the leg.
• changes in sensation on the inside of the leg
• Swelling in the feet as well as tightness in the legs.
• Slight bleeding during the first few walks.

Don't worry, they are very common and will gradually disappear during recovery without causing any major discomfort. 

The time it will take to reach full recovery may vary depending on the state of your varicose veins, but it is usually between 2 and 3 weeks until you reach full recovery.

Here are the general guidelines you should follow for a successful recovery:

• Use of compression garment: After the saphenectomy varicose vein surgery and once the compression bandage has been removed (after 24-48 hours), you must wear an elastic garment that will keep your leg compressed for the first month post-operatively.
• Hygiene and wound care: To ensure good hygiene and wound healing, you will have to wash the wound carefully with an antiseptic gel, dry it with a towel, apply betadine and apply the compressive bandage for the first few days, or the compression stocking later on.
• Medication: Your doctor will prescribe painkillers to reduce the discomfort of the surgery and a cream to apply to the area treated in the operating theatre.
• Position: It is advisable to keep the legs elevated and place ice (20 minutes) to help better blood circulation.
• Diet: In relation to food after varicose vein surgery, it is recommended to eat a balanced diet, high in protein, with the intention of accelerating the healing process in the most natural way possible.
• Return to work: The time it may take you to return to work may vary depending on the characteristics of your work activity. In this case, it is best to consult your specialist.

Remember that these indications are of a general nature and may vary depending on the particularities of each case. 

Your specialist will explain in detail which ones you should follow and will add others if they are necessary and beneficial for your recovery.

If you have varicose veins and you are thinking of having surgery with us, you can request a free surgical assessment consultation with our specialist in Vascular surgery to get to know him, so that he can familiarise himself with your case and you can decide on the best option to eliminate once and for all the problems caused by varicose veins. 

Do not hesitate to contact our patient service team or call at +34 91 141 33 56.