Varicose veins are a dilation of the veins as a result of a disease called Chronic Venous Insufficiency, which is studied and treated by the specialty of Angiology and Vascular Surgery. Affecting a large percentage of the population being more prevalent in women.
They occur when the veins of the extremities, which have to carry blood back to the heart, fail to do so by the failure of a valve generating an improper functioning, which brings pain, swelling, heaviness, and over time the appearance of complications such as thrombosis, skin ulcers or bleeding.
Varicose Veins and Surgery
For many years, the only treatment for varicose veins was surgery, which consists in the removal of the diseased veins, with the possibility of complications derived from any surgical intervention, and with a postoperative recovery time of about one month.
Advances in Phlebology, and especially the incorporation of the Eco Döppler study, have allowed new techniques to treat varicose veins in a less aggressive way, being able to avoid surgery in many cases, and reducing recovery times.
Endovenous treatments the key revolution
At present, the Scientific Guides recommend the choice of treatments called “Thermoablative”. They consist of introducing a catheter inside the vein by means of a minimal puncture with a needle, which emits an energy, producing the sealing of the vein without the need to remove it. We have two similar techniques such as Radiofrequency Ablation and Endo-LASER.
This treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia. Patients come to the medical center for treatment on the same day, returning home within a few hours and being able to return to their ordinary life after 48-72 hours.
Foam sclerosis: in search of minimum aggression
Foam sclerosis has the variation of being able to be performed in consultation, serving both for large caliber veins (Saphenous) as well as smaller caliber veins. The patient comes for treatment, where a specific foam is introduced in the dilated veins from small punctures. Without the need for surgery or anesthesia, the sealing of the veins is performed in different sessions, without interrupting the patient’s daily activity. Foam treatments require a very strict ultrasound follow-up by the specialist to check the evolution of the treatment and prevent possible complications.
Medical technology: a “high speed” train
New techniques are appearing on the horizon of medicine with the aim of being less and less invasive and less aggressive. Thus arise techniques such as Endo-glue treatments that apparently have a promising future, seeking to seal the vein in a more effective way and with less aggression, always looking for greater efficiency with maximum comfort.
Eliminate varicose veins in the “best hands”.
In the treatment of varicose veins there is no miracle technique that displaces the others, being fundamental in many occasions the combination of several procedures. Putting yourself in expert hands to treat venous problems is the key to obtain a satisfactory technical result without taking unnecessary risks.
Varicose veins are the manifestation of a disease, and therefore as in any disease the first thing is a correct diagnosis. Before Dr. Miguel Angel Gonzalez Arranz, angiologist and vascular surgeon to perform any treatment of varicose veins and spider veins, it is essential to perform an ECOGRAPHIC study in the hands of a specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery, to check the functioning of the venous system and locate the points where the valves of the veins do not function properly. From there, our specialist will be the one to indicate the most appropriate treatment for each type of pathology.
As always in medicine, the quality of the professionals is key to achieve the best results.