New varicose vein techniques have emerged and are being used increasingly. Sclerotherapy, laser, Chiva, and so on... What are the results of these interventions? Is it better than conventional surgery? A report by Vein Health
provides an update on the issue.
Varicose veins and heavy legs are very common ailments, especially for older women. It is estimated that three out of four people have varicose veins during their lifetime and that for one in four people the symptoms are sufficiently troublesome to warrant medical treatment or intervention. In recent years, techniques have improved and new methods have appeared, promising lighter treatments and a less traumatic post-operative feeling. But what are their real benefits?
Understanding the formation of varicose veins is crucial for those wishing to seek treatment. To understand the techniques used in the treatment of varicose veins, some anatomical details are necessary. Blood flows through the legs via the body’s deep venous system, located in the heart muscle, and in a superficial network, located under the skin. It is this superficial network that is affected by varicose veins. It includes two main veins, the large and the small saphenous vein, which allows a small amount of blood to flow into the deep network and secondary smaller veins. To prevent blood from stagnating in the body’s superficial veins, anti-reflux valves are distributed along its entire length. In the event of failure of these valves, a reflux occurs and the vein expands, forming a varicose visible under the skin.
Treating these types of veins can be tricky. For instance, some treatments may relieve symptoms and could, for some, help the healing of an ulcer, but they have no real effect on the development of varicose veins treatments
. The elastic compression provided by stockings or bands is effective when it is worn. But this is a palliative and symptomatic treatment, which has no action on the anomalies already seen. Different interventions can, however, remove varicose veins. This option is perfect:
To relieve the symptoms that become too painful;
To prevent the complications of venous stasis (venous ulcers, lesions of the skin or, more rarely, phlebitis and embolisms);
Or simply for aesthetic reasons.
A precise assessment will be carried out before any intervention is performed, including a Venous Doppler. This completely painless examination makes it possible to specify the state of the valves and the mechanism responsible for reflux. To determine whether you have varicose veins and whether these need to be treated post haste, contact your local doctor