WHAT IS A VARICOSE VEIN DISEASE?
- HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT? -
Varicose veins represent one of the most widely spread medical problems of the modern times. In most cases they occur as a consequence of some genetic predispositions, but also due to the way of living. The course of varicose vein disease is always a progressive one and can be divided into two phases: the first (I), painless phase, is the phase in which there can be noted and palpated nodes or vein widenings on the skin. This is the phase with no expressed pain and swelling, and it is the right time for the beginning of the treatment. Otherwise, the disease progresses entering the second (II) phase, the phase of complications, in which there occur pains and swellings overnight (tired legs), as well as frequent inflammations and vein thromboses. They are followed by the possibility of thrombus tear-off and its entering the venous circulation. There can also follow other complications such as open leg wounds, skin hyperpigmentation and others.
Nowadays, there are many methods of varicose veins treatment. On the market there is present great number of preparations (creams, various preparations) which have no effect at all. On the other hand, patients do have fear of previous methods of treatment – surgical interventions performed in total or spinal anesthesia.
Modern, painless laser operations represent the utmost improvement and best therapeutic option for varicose vein treatment. Laser method of varicose veins treatment is currently applied in Serbia and all across the world.
THE ADVANTEGES OF LASER OPERATIONS
| General info | Classical surgical intervention | Laser operation |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention duration | 1.30 to 2 hours | 30 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Total or spinal (in spine) | Local |
| Going home | 2-7 days of hospitalization | Immediately |
| cuts and scars, swellings and painfulness |
10 scars mean |
None |
| Return to work | One month | The following day |
| percentage of new vein occurrence (recidivisms within a ten-year-period) |
50-60% of patients | 25% patients |
| risk of intervention complications (deep venous thrombosis) |
4% patients | 0,4% patients |
| intervention followed by ultrasound check-up |
No | Yes |
Laser interventions that considerably substitute previously applied classical surgical methods represent a revolution in varicose vein treatments. In comparison with classical surgical method – vein stripping operation – laser operation has numerous advantages over it. Classical stripping operation is performed in total anesthesia and based on physical removal or “tearing-off” of the varicose vein, on which occasion there is developed a larger painful subdermal haematoma. Its further resorption followed by oedema lasts for more than a month. Permanent scars of surgical cuts remain after the intervention.
Differing from classical intervention, laser operation provides an almost painless method of treatment. It is very precise and enables the patients to leave the infirmary in no time and return to their daily routines and activities. There are neither surgical cuts nor post-operative scars. Patients do not feel pain, and the rehabilitation period lasts less than 2 days.
WHAT DOES LASER VEIN OPERATION LOOK LIKE?
Via needle thin laser probe is placed into the vein and with the help of ultrasonography monitoring conducted into the varicose vein. The function of laser probe is to produce great amount of thermal energy that will immediately dry out the damaged vein part and turn it into a thin fibrous strip that the organism resorbs. After the intervention visible varicosities and varicose vein disappear in no time. Laser beam enables the instant closure of the vein prone to thrombosis, stop the development of the disease and prevent the possibility of dangerous complications.
The remaining healthy veins that were burdened in the presence of varicose veins now become disburdened. Their capacity becomes multiply higher in relation to the current leg circulation and they are able to satisfy all the needs of the organism.
