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Main Facts On Varicose Vein Removal NYC Residents Should Know

By Estela Bolton


Varicose veins are venous channels that have dilated due to one reason or the other. There are many complications that come about when the condition is long standing and not treated appropriately. Thrombus formation and subsequent embolism is one of the most feared as it is life-threatening. The other complication is phlebitis, inflammation of the varicosed vessels that is often painful. In most chronic cases, ulcers also form due to stasis of venous blood. There are a number of things on varicose vein removal nyc residents should know.

Problems affecting the veins are a common problem in the United States. The condition affects 50-55% of women and 40-45% of men. Varicose veins affect 1 in every 2 people aged more than 5o years. The risk factors that have been identified include obesity, hormonal changes, physical inactivity and increasing age.

The choice of the method of treatment to use is determined by a number of factors. Disease severity is one of the most important determinants. The more advanced a condition is, the more likely it is that it will be treated invasively. The age and health status of the affected individual has to be assessed so that the surgeon determines whether the individual can tolerate surgery or medications chosen. Other important considerations are personal preference and cost.

Compression stockings are one of the conservative treatments that can be considered. Stockings work by exerting pressure on the affected vessels so that they are no longer visible on the skin surface. There are 3 types of stockings in the market. The support pantyhose have the least amount of pressure, the over-the-counter type exerts moderate pressure and the prescription-strength stocking offers the greatest amount.

Sclerotherapy is recommended for persons that have small-sized veins. This treatment involves injection of a special chemical into the vessels. The chemical works by causing scar formation in the vessel and this helps seal them. Foam sclerotherapy may be done for larger vessels. As the name suggests, a special liquid is injected into the vessels to cause scar formation. The treatment is unsuitable in persons that have a history of deep venous thrombosis.

Surgery should only be done as a last resort. Several surgical options are available. The most popular of these is what is referred to as ligation and stripping. What this means is that the affected vessel is tied and blocked and removed in one piece through cuts created on the skin. Since it is the superficial vessels that are removed, there is no compromise in circulation.

Being a major surgical operation, there is need for general anaesthesia. In general, the operation is regarded as being safe. In the immediate pot-operative period, the most common side effect is leg pain. There are a number of other possible complications that one should look out for. These include, among others, excessive bleeding, wound infection, swelling and scar formation. Recovery takes between one and four weeks.

The other commonly used surgical options for varicose vein removal nyc residents should know are PIN stripping and ambulatory phlebectomy. In pin stripping, a special instrument termed as a PIN stripper is sewn into the vessel. When this instrument is pulled out, it comes out with the vessel. This treatment is done either in theatre or as an outpatient procedure. Ambulatory phlebectomy, on the other hand, involves creates of multiple cuts along the path of the vessel. The vein is then pulled out using hooks.




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