Varicose veins are dilated and tortuous veins that cannot correctly perform their function of venous return (i.e. return blood from the different parts of the body back to the heart).
It can be said that varicose veins of the lower limbs are among the most common pathologies of human beings, and can affect up to 30-40% of the adult population.
Causes of varicose veins
The appearance of varicose veins is due to a weakness in the wall and valves of the veins (which we have from birth), which when exposed to different environmental factors end up breaking down and creating what we call varicose veins.
The environmental factors we are referring to are basically some of the following:
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Constipation
- Sedentary life
- Tight clothing
- Activities that require the maintenance of a fixed standing position
- Prolonged periods of sitting
Signs and symptoms of varicose veins
The symptoms and signs caused by varicose veins vary depending on the severity of the varicose veins themselves. Distinctions are made according to whether they are mild, moderate, severe or severe.
- Mild: heaviness, tingling, cramping, spider veins
- Moderate: swelling, pain, spots, eczema, dermatitis.
- Severe: phlebitis, skin atrophy
- Severe: thrombosis, varicorrhages, ulcers
Treatment of varicose veins
Nowadays there are different therapeutic options available for the treatment of varicose veins, although depending on the size and location along the veins, one option or another will be chosen. In most cases the right combination of different therapeutic measures will lead to the most satisfactory result possible.
The following types of treatment are available:
- Hygienic-dietary treatment: compression stockings, appropriate exercises….
- Medical treatment: venotonic drugs
- Classic surgery: saphenectomy, phlebectomy.
- Endovascular procedures: microfoams, endovascular laser, radiofrequency, Venaseal (glue)…
The latter would be the most innovative techniques currently on the market. They do not require any cuts in the skin, nor do they require the removal of anything.
Endovascular techniques for the treatment of varicose veins
When we talk about endovascular techniques to treat varicose veins, we refer to the following:
- Sclerosis: consists of the introduction of a substance into a diseased vein causing a controlled chemical phlebitis (inflammation). Depending on the substance we introduce, it is called liquid, foam or cryosclerosis.
- Endovascular Laser: consists of the introduction of a laser fiber into a vein causing a physical phlebitis (burns the vein inside) by means of laser light.
- Endovascular Radiofrequency: consists of the introduction of a radiofrequency fiber into a vein causing physical phlebitis (burning the vein from the inside) by means of radiofrequency energy.
- Closure with VenaSeal (glue): consists of closing the diseased vein with the application of a medical glue (cyanoacrylate) with the help of a catheter.
Radiofrequency to treat varicose veins
Radiofrequency is the endovascular technique par excellence for the treatment of varicose veins of the saphenous trunks. It mainly consists of eliminating the veins by introducing a radiofrequency catheter inside them, which is placed in a specific location with the aid of an ultrasound scanner.
Next, tumescent anesthesia is applied around the vein and the catheter to empty the vein of blood so that the vein will be intimately attached to the catheter, thus protecting the surrounding tissues and avoiding lesions. Finally, the vein is “burned” using radiofrequency, causing damage to the wall of the diseased vein, which will lead to its closure, healing and finally its disappearance. It is a virtually painless procedure, with no bruising, no scars, no hospitalization is required, and the patient can go home the same day. And very early allow the patient to make a rigorously normal life.
In expert hands, radiofrequency has incredible results, with recurrences of less than 2%. No scars, no pain, and quick incorporation to a normal life.