Varicose veins: postoperative rehabilitation

Combined phlebectomy is a surgical method for the treatment of varicose veins of the saphenous veins of the lower extremities, aimed at removing pathologically altered veins. In this case, several surgical techniques are used simultaneously. When the pathological main vein is removed, the problem of its recanalization and restoration of pathological reflux in it disappears. As a rule, combined phlebectomy is used in situations where one surgical technique or other methods of treatment (isolated RFO, EVLT) for varicose veins may be ineffective, in some cases can lead to recurrence of varicose veins, complications, or there are initially contraindications to them execution.

The purpose of combined phlebectomy

at the present stage is to normalize or reduce disturbances in venous outflow from the lower limb by solving the following problems: eliminating reflux (vertical and horizontal) - pathological reverse flow in the venous system resulting from pathological changes in the vascular wall and valve apparatus; removal or elimination of varicose veins, as a pathological container with the possible formation of blood clots. In addition to the medical result, a good cosmetic result is achieved.

Despite the emergence of high-tech treatment methods (RFO, EVLT), combined phlebectomy is still considered the “gold standard” in surgical phlebology, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed by decades of practice. At the first stage, the so-called crossectomy, the main saphenous vein is isolated at the place where it flows into the deep vein, after which the vessel is crossed and ligated, the tributaries are crossed and ligated in this place. The second stage is the phlebectomy itself, during which the severed vein is removed using various techniques. The third stage - miniphlebectomy - removal of the tributaries of the main saphenous vein, incompetent perforating veins. In our clinic, combined phlebectomy is used in combination with RFO and sclerosis of tributaries, which eliminates the need for additional incisions. The technical and tactical features of this surgical intervention, developed by specialists at our clinic based on an analysis of 10-15-20 year long-term results in 2.5 thousand patients, allow us to minimize surgical trauma, accelerate healing, shorten the rehabilitation period and achieve good long-term results.

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Duration about 120-150 minutes

Time in hospital 1-2 days

Indications and contraindications

Indications

• varicose veins, including with edema and trophic disorders, thrombophlebitis;
• indurative (ulcerative) form of postthrombotic disease;
• venous malformation of the lower extremities.

Contraindications

• pregnancy;
• severe somatic diseases in the acute period;
• atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities;
• acute deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities;
• infectious skin diseases in the surgical area.

Types of damage from sharp objects

The nature of the damage depends on the type of cutting object, as well as on its strength and direction of impact. With slight pressure on the surface, a linear wound is formed that does not penetrate beyond the surface layer. Pressure with great force causes a circular wound that reaches the bone.

Incised wounds lead to the development of acute bleeding

Types of injuries depending on the wounding object:

• Incised wound. Smooth edges of the damaged surface, the injury is accompanied by bleeding, the intensity of which depends on the diameter of the vessel. When large veins are cut deeply, massive hemorrhage occurs.
• Stabbing wound. It is characterized by slight external blood loss, in some cases with internal hemorrhage.
• Cut and stab wound. Deep wound channel with even and smooth channels.

Injuries to the great vessels of the neck, lower and upper extremities pose a threat to life. If bleeding from the cut area is not stopped in a timely manner, the patient may develop painful and hemorrhagic shock with subsequent death. At the same time, tendons, nerves and muscle tissue can be damaged, which leads to a local decrease in sensitivity and impaired motor function.

Doctor's comment

You have been prescribed a combined phlebectomy, and you are experiencing quite natural anxiety about the upcoming operation? Our clinic uses the most modern methods of treatment and diagnosis, including original techniques and their modifications to avoid additional tissue trauma. In addition, thanks to a special technique and tactics of execution (invagination PIN stripping of the large and (or) small saphenous veins with special proprietary probes), making mini-incisions along the bikini line, using absorbable intradermal sutures, we manage to achieve good and excellent cosmetic results - postoperative Scars after healing after 2-3 months are almost invisible. Moreover, the combined phlebectomy techniques used in our clinic minimize hospital stay. This operation is performed under anesthesia, so any painful sensations and the patient’s “presence” at the operation are excluded. We are against a single template for treating patients with chronic venous disease. For each patient, we select a set of surgical intervention techniques based on the individual characteristics of the course of the disease, the presence and severity of concomitant pathology, physical and social activity, attitude towards one’s disease, and motivation for a good long-term result. Make an appointment and you will learn everything about the nature and prognosis of your illness. Together with you, we will draw up not only a detailed preoperative examination plan to exclude risk factors and contraindications to treatment and anesthesia, but we will also determine the optimal set of surgical intervention techniques for you, allowing you to minimize the risk of possible complications and relapse of the disease. Based on our experience, the principles of continuity in treatment and family medicine, the “open door” principle, when the patient has the right to contact the operating surgeon if necessary at any time. We will determine the frequency of further follow-up examinations for timely detection and minimally invasive outpatient elimination of disease relapse and correction of conservative treatment. Considering the chronic, multi-cause nature of varicose veins, we have moved away from the impersonal “operate and forget” system to a lifelong monitoring system, including annual ultrasound angioscanning. Together with you, we will try not only to save you from severe manifestations of the disease and its possible relapse, but also to significantly improve the quality of your life in the future.

Head of the Vascular Surgery Center Girsiashvili Aleko Givievich

Why is it better to perform combined phlebectomy at the Swiss University Hospital?

• In our Center for Vascular Surgery and Phlebology, operations are carried out using proprietary methods (in particular, invagination PIN stripping using special probes), thanks to which it was possible to reduce the trauma of surgical intervention, which leads to faster healing and a reduction in the duration of the rehabilitation period, improving the quality of life.
• We were one of the first in the country to use minimally invasive techniques as part of combined phlebectomy in the treatment of patients with chronic venous diseases; we own more than 40 patents for bloodless operations.
• Vascular surgeons (phlebologists) of our clinic have many years of experience in performing surgical interventions, each of our specialists is fluent in all the techniques used in our clinic. Each surgeon has performed more than 2,500 successful operations for varicose veins with analysis of long-term results.
• Ultrasound diagnosis of diseases of the main veins of the lower extremities and the exclusion of local contraindications before scleroobliteration, ultrasound control of the scleroobliteration procedure is carried out by vascular surgeons (phlebologists) using expert-class equipment at the highest professional level. Doctors of the Center for Vascular Surgery are certified specialists of the highest qualification category with an academic degree.
• We have developed and put into practice a protocol for ultrasound duplex scanning of the veins of the lower extremities, which allows not only to map in detail varicose veins and their sizes, but also to accurately determine the variants of pathological reflux with the location of sources of reflux, routes of spread of reflux, channels of blood return to the deep vein system. This protocol allows you to adequately select the method and scope of minimally invasive surgical intervention. Thus, in our practice, the number of tactical errors associated with the choice of method and volume of surgical intervention has significantly decreased, which has a qualitative impact on the results.
• The Vascular Surgery Center is equipped with expert-class equipment from world-famous manufacturers (such as Karl Storz, Covidien, ACUSON-Siemens, Valleylab, etc.). Cooperation with leaders in equipment production makes it possible to be several years ahead of other clinics and be one of the first to apply innovative technologies, scientific and medical developments in practice. To perform combined phlebectomy, we use, in addition to proprietary, low-traumatic surgical instruments, certified disposable surgical instruments.
• We provide treatment in accordance with international standards, the quality of the services provided is assessed by international organizations that regularly visit our clinic to verify compliance with international standards.
• For each patient, we select a set of surgical intervention techniques, based on the individual characteristics of the course and severity of varicose veins, the presence and severity of concomitant pathology, physical and social activity, attitude towards one’s disease, and motivation for a good long-term result.
• We strictly and unswervingly adhere to the principles of continuity of treatment and family medicine, the principle of “open doors”, when the patient has the right to contact the operating surgeon if necessary at any time.
• Considering the chronic nature of the course of chronic venous diseases and the tendency to relapse, we have moved away from the impersonal “operate and forget” system to a lifelong monitoring system, including annual ultrasound examination.
• We will determine the frequency of further follow-up examinations and examinations for timely detection and minimally invasive outpatient elimination of recurrent varicose veins and correction of conservative treatment.
• When determining whether a patient is suitable for combined phlebectomy, we do not follow his wishes, observing, first of all, the principle of “do no harm.”
• Together with you, we will try not only to save you from severe manifestations of chronic venous diseases and possible relapse of varicose veins, but also to significantly improve the quality of your life in the future.

General clinical manifestations

Venous diseases especially often affect the lower extremities. Despite the fact that their genesis may be different, the symptoms are specific and uniform for any type of pathology.

Typical symptoms of diseases of the venous system:

• Congestive edematous phenomena in places where vascular damage is localized;
• Episodic spasms in muscle tissue;
• Visual thickening and protrusion of veins with a change in their color to purple, purple or dark blue;
• Intense and persistent pain syndrome of a severe, aching nature;
• Changes in skin color on the legs, especially in the ankles and shins (manifestation of hyperpigmentation);
• Itching, burning, tingling at the site of the affected vein;
• Pain that tends to intensify in a standing position and subsides in a horizontal position with raised legs;
• Local thickening of the skin (lipodermatosclerosis);
• Permanent feeling of fatigue in the limbs;
• Thinning and peeling of the skin of the legs;
• Formation of trophic ulcers.

It should be understood that certain manifestations are not always observed, and sometimes are possible only during exacerbation. At the slightest suspicion of diseases of the venous system, you should urgently seek advice from a qualified phlebologist.

FAQ

• Is special preparation required for combined phlebectomy?

  On the eve of the operation, you should take a shower and remove hair from the limb and groin area. The procedure is carried out on an empty stomach, so the last meal is no later than 18:00 the evening before. There may be additional individual recommendations.

• How is combined phlebectomy performed?

  Before the operation, under the control of ultrasound duplex scanning with the patient in a “standing” position, the affected vessels to be removed are marked: the boundaries of the incompetent valves of the main veins are marked, the confluence of the tributaries is determined, etc. Thus, this makes it possible to determine the individual volume, nature of the surgical intervention and tactics for its implementation. The operation consists of several stages. Crossectomy is the intersection of the pathologically altered main saphenous vein at the point of its confluence with the deep vein, which leads to cessation of blood flow and elimination of reflux. The incision during crossectomy, as a rule, runs along the inguinal fold or along the popliteal fold - the location of the incision depends on the location of the lesion. In some cases, in the absence of contraindications, crossectomy can be replaced by endovasal laser obliteration (EVLK) and radiofrequency obliteration (RFO) without the need for incisions.

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• At the second stage (stripping), the main trunks of the veins are removed using various techniques and instruments; during the intervention, the vein is removed. In our clinic we perform low-traumatic intussusception PIN stripping using special proprietary probes. It should be noted that in some cases alternative techniques are used, their use allows you to do without stripping or crossectomy - endovasal laser obliteration (EVLK) and radiofrequency obliteration (RFO).
• The final stage is miniphlebectomy—removal of tributaries and perforating veins through minimal punctures using special miniphlebextractors. At this stage, deformed veins and nodes that look unaesthetic are removed. The intervention is low-traumatic, there is no need for sutures.
• A prerequisite for phlebectomy is elastic compression of the limb, the duration of which is determined by the operating surgeon, which avoids the appearance of hematomas, bleeding, and swelling after surgery.

Nutrition after vein surgery

During rehabilitation after surgery for varicose veins in the legs, it is necessary to consume foods that thin the blood and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. It is important to adjust your diet and reduce your intake of fats and carbohydrates, especially if you are overweight.

It is better to boil and bake foods, but not to fry them. Vegetables should be eaten raw, they thin the blood. Salt and spices retain water in the body, and this provokes swelling, so you will have to give up smoked, spicy and salty foods.

The daily menu should include products containing:

• Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid strengthens the walls of blood vessels and thins the blood. Not only citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, but also various types of cabbage, rose hips, sea buckthorn and currants.
• Vitamin R. Rutin makes the walls of blood vessels stronger and more elastic. Vitamin P is found in berries: grapes, cherries and black currants.
• Omega polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins and taurine. These substances also increase the elasticity of blood vessels and are found in sufficient quantities in seafood. And also in unrefined sunflower, olive and flaxseed oils, which slow down the process of blood clots.
• Fiber. Coarse fibers tone the intestines and increase immunity by normalizing the intestinal microflora. Fresh vegetables, cereals and whole grain bread are rich in fiber. Plant products containing coarse fibers.