Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory phlebectomy is an outpatient procedure developed by dermatologic surgeons that removes superficial veins through small, slit-like incisions in the skin. Why choose ambulatory phlebectomy for varicose veins? Ambulatory phlebectomy is a good choice for treating both asymptomatic and symptomatic superficial veins from the skin. It is usually performed on larger veins that bulge above the surface of the skin and varicose veins. It also rarely is used on smaller veins. Ambulatory phlebectomy may be combined with other therapies in the treatment of venous disease. The procedure is not recommended for patients unable to walk on their own or wear compression stockings.
What you should know about ambulatory phlebectomy for varicose veins:
- The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and patients should not feel any pain during treatment.
- The procedure involves four steps: The veins to be treated are outlined or marked, local anesthesia is injected into the skin, bulging veins are surgically removed, segment by segment, through small incisions, and graduated compression stockings are worn for a week or more after surgery.
Possible risks, as with any treatment there are risks associated, though they are minimized in the hands of a qualified physician, include:
- Temporary bruising and swelling.
- Inflammation caused by small segments of vein that remain in the skin.
- Skin numbness caused by injury to adjoining sensory nerves.
- Allergic reaction to local anesthesia.