- When surgery is indicated
- Risks of surgery to remove the saphenous vein
- How is recovery after saphenous vein removal
- How is the surgery to remove the saphenous vein
Surgery to remove the saphenous vein, or saphenectomy, is a treatment option for varicose veins in the legs and to obtain venous grafts for the aortocoronary bypass, as removal of this vein is necessary, it is a little more complex than other procedures, such as the injection of foam or radiofrequency, for example, but, on the other hand, it is a definitive treatment for varicose veins.
Recovery from this varicose vein surgery takes about 1 to 2 weeks, and physical activities are released after 30 days. During this period, the use of elastic stockings and pain relief medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics, are prescribed by the vascular surgeon.
When surgery is indicated
Saphenectomy is indicated in some situations, such as:
- When there is a risk that the swollen veins will not resist and rupture; Delay in the healing of varicose veins; Clot formation within the varicose veins.
These situations must be evaluated by the angiologist or vascular surgery, who are the specialists in treating this type of condition, who will decide when the saphenectomy will be necessary.
Risks of surgery to remove the saphenous vein
Despite being a surgery with few risks, saphenectomy can have some rare complications, such as damage to nerves close to the vein, which can cause tingling and loss of sensation, in addition to bleeding, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis of the leg or pulmonary embolism.
See the care that must be taken before and after surgery to avoid these types of complications.
How is recovery after saphenous vein removal
In the postoperative period after the removal of the saphenous vein, it is advised to rest, preferring to have the legs elevated, for 1 week, in addition to:
- Use elastic stockings to compress the legs; Use pain control drugs, such as anti-inflammatories and analgesics, prescribed by the doctor; Do not exercise or expose yourself to the sun for 1 month.
In addition, spot locations should be kept clean and dry. Ointments can also be used to relieve bruises, such as hirudoid, for example.
How is the surgery to remove the saphenous vein
The removal of the saphenous vein is indicated to treat varicose veins when the saphenous vein is blocked due to excessive dilation of this vessel, or when the saphenous vein no longer works as it should to make blood return from the legs to the heart, internal and external saphenous veins. The procedure is done in a surgical center, with spinal or general anesthesia, and the surgery time is usually about 2 hours.
The saphenous vein is a large vein that runs from the groin, through the knee, where it splits in two, the great saphenous vein and the small saphenous vein, which continue down to the feet. Despite its size, the removal of the saphenous vein is not harmful to health, as there are other, deeper vessels that are more important for the return of blood to the heart.
However, if the saphenous veins are still functioning, their removal should be avoided, as the saphenous vein is useful for performing the bypass, if necessary, which is the surgery in which the saphenous vein is implanted in the heart to replace the coronary clogged heart.
See what are the other surgery options for varicose veins that preserve the saphenous vein.
