Varicose Veins Surgery

This webpage will give you information about varicose veins surgery. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional.

What are varicose veins?

The cause of varicose veins, when the veins enlarge, the valves fail and blood flows backward. Varicose veins are enlarged and twisted veins in the leg. They tend to run in families and are made worse by pregnancy and in people whose jobs mean they do a lot of standing.

Veins in the legs contain many one-way valves to help the upward flow of blood back to the heart. If the valves fail to work properly, blood can flow in the wrong direction, causing varicose veins (see figure 1).

Figure 1 - The cause of varicose veins.

When the veins enlarge, the valves fail and blood flows backward.

What are the benefits of surgery?

You should no longer have varicose veins, and your symptoms should improve. Surgery should help prevent complications that varicose veins may cause.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

There are other treatments such as injections, radiofrequency ablation (VNUSä) or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Support stockings can often prevent the veins from getting worse and ease aching.

What does the operation involve?

Varicose veins surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon may disconnect the superficial veins from the deep veins in your legs through a cut in your groin or the back of your knee.

They will probably make many small cuts along the length of the varicose veins and remove them. Often the main varicose vein is ‘stripped out’ using a special instrument.

What complications can happen?

1 General complications of any operation

Pain
Bleeding
Infection in a surgical wound
Unsightly scarring
Blood clots

2 Specific complications of this operation

Developing a lump under a wound
Numbness or tingling
Damage to nerves
Continued varicose veins
Swelling of the leg
Major injury to the main arteries, veins or nerves of the leg

How soon will I recover?

You should be able to go home the same day or the day after. You may need to wear support stockings. You should be able to return to work after one to two weeks but this may vary depending on your type of work. As long as your wounds have healed, you should be able to carry out normal activities by four weeks. Occasionally varicose veins come back.

Summary

Varicose veins are a common problem and can lead to complications if left untreated. Support stockings can help to control symptoms but will not remove the varicose veins.