Varicose vein surgery: duration, cost and step by step

• Varicose veins are a circulation problem caused by dilated and swollen veins. This problem is more common in women than in men. 
• Treatment to alleviate symptoms and remove affected veins can vary, depending on the stage of the diseased vein and medical recommendations.
• Complete saphenectomy or phlebo extraction surgery is a conventional treatment to alleviate the appearance of varicose veins, being chosen by specialists for its high success rates.

The appearance of varicose veins is due to circulatory problems, causing swelling and dilation of the veins. In general, this is a problem that worsens over time, the size of the veins increases, leading to the appearance of complications such as phlebitis, alteration of the skin and its colour, thrombosis or bleeding. 

The longer it takes to treat the varicose vein, the greater the degree of the varicose vein and therefore the greater the need for surgical intervention.

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The appearance of varicose veins is possible in both men and women, although cases in women are more frequent.

Other risk factors in addition to gender are:

• Genetic inheritance: If a family member has already suffered from this problem, it is more likely to appear in another person in the same family.
• Pregnancy: The appearance of varicose veins is very common during pregnancy, normally related to hormonal changes, but also due to the pressure exerted by the uterus on the veins, in addition to the pressure also exerted by weight gain.
• Obesity: People who are obese are more prone to varicose veins. Excess weight generates pressure on the veins, causing them to dilate, a situation similar to that suffered in cases of varicose veins during pregnancy.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of movement means that the muscles do not help the blood to circulate properly, thus causing the circulation to stagnate and the veins to dilate.
• Ageing: Ageing leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the blood vessels, which causes the blood flow to diminish and therefore varicose veins can appear due to blood stagnation.
• Standing for long periods of time: Standing for long periods of time increases the pressure in the veins, causing difficulties in the return of blood to the heart.
• Wearing tight clothing: Wearing excessively tight clothing can hinder circulation, causing the veins to dilate so that blood can pass through and favouring the slow reflux characteristic of varicose veins.

It is important to remember that these factors increase the probability of suffering from varicose veins but they are not the determining factor in their occurrence. By raising awareness of the factors that affect the appearance of varicose veins, it is possible to prevent and avoid their appearance.

Patients and specialists resort to varicose vein surgery for both medical and cosmetic reasons because they are visible through the skin. 

Although there are cases of varicose veins that do not present any symptoms, the most common are tired legs, swelling, oedema, cramps, itching and skin alterations.

In addition to aesthetic issues, specialists resort to surgery for medical reasons. Avoiding the aggravation of varicose veins and other complications such as:

• Varicose vein haemorrhage: Haemorrhage can occur when the varicose vein ruptures because it can no longer withstand pressure.
• Pigmentation and skin disorders: This is the most common, with time the varicose veins become more and more visible through the skin, the area is more sensitive and prone to ulcers.
• Varicotrombosis: This is the formation of clots that prevent the correct circulation of blood in the veins.
• Phlebitis: The formation of clots or thrombi causes the veins to become inflamed.
• Venous ulcers: As the appearance and size of the varicose veins worsen, small sores may appear on the skin, which can develop into ulcers.

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The usual surgery for the treatment of the most severe varicose veins is saphenectomy or complete phleboextraction. 

This operation consists of the removal of the internal or external saphenous veins, as these are the veins in which varicose veins usually form.

Before the intervention, the patient will undergo a preoperative analysis in which the varicose veins and their location will be examined to determine the type of treatment to be applied. 

If the specialist determines that surgery is necessary, the following steps will be carried out:

On the day of the surgery, the patient comes to the hospital where he/she will hand in the corresponding documentation in admissions and will then be accompanied to a pre-surgical room where he/she will be instructed to change into operating theatre clothes. 

After this, the patient will be taken to the operating theatre and the operation will begin.

Once inside the operating theatre and after administering the anaesthesia, the surgery begins:

• The surgeon disinfects the area to be operated on, having previously shaved it if necessary.
• To perform the saphenectomy, the specialist makes an incision in the groyne and another 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 phleboextractor is introduced, with which the affected vein is dragged 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 removal, the incisions are sutured and the wounds are bandaged. A second compressive bandage is then applied to the area to help restore proper blood circulation.
• At the end of the dressing, the patient is transferred to the recovery room and awakened.

The duration of the operation for varicose veins by saphenectomy is approximately 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the severity of each case.

After surgery, the patient is usually admitted to hospital for 24 hours to recover from the operation. In some cases, patients may return home to recover on complete bed rest.

The patient's full recovery usually takes 10 days.

Everything mentioned above regarding the price of the varicose vein operation is based on contracting the surgery through Operarme.

Our interventions include everything necessary to carry out the varicose vein operation by saphenectomy or complete phleboextraction with the greatest possible safety and effectiveness for the patient, providing an all-inclusive fixed price starting from 2.190 € per leg.

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In this way, the patient knows the final cost of the operation from the outset. Below you will find a breakdown of what is included in the price of varicose vein surgery at Operarme:

• Booking and use of the operating theatre
• Single room with spare bed for a companion, food and accommodation for up to 1 day for the patient.
• Pre-operative tests (blood tests, electrocardiogram and chest x-ray according to medical indications).
• Post-operative visit
• Medical fees
• Anaesthesiologist fees
• Nursing team fees
• Surgical material necessary for the operation
• Medical complications insurance. All Operarme surgeries with hospitalisation include an insurance policy that covers additional expenses that may occur, such as the need for extra days of hospitalisation. It is unusual, but it is best for the patient to be forewarned.

In addition, the company offers the patient a free transfer service for the day of admission and discharge from hospital, thus avoiding the need to take the car. 

Similarly, the patient has continuous access to our patient service department, with whom he/she can resolve any queries or setbacks.

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 general 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.

You can arrange a free surgical assessment consultation by clicking below:

Do you need varicose vein surgery?

Request a free and immediate appointment with our specialists in vascular surgery

Make an appointment