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Varicose vein therapy - Recovery

Alternative Names

Vein stripping; Sclerotherapy of veins; Endovenous ablation therapy

Expectations after surgery:

Most patients who undergo varicose vein surgery have good results. Some patients, however, have inflammation and skin discoloration that last for several months following surgery.

Talk to your physician about these risks and your chances for good results.

Convalescence:

After endovenous ablation therapy and sclerotherapy the patient can almost immediately resume most of their normal activities. Surgical stripping usually requires at least 3 – 7 days rest, but you could need up to several weeks.

After treatment your legs are wrapped tightly in bandages. Walking is possible the day of surgery. In fact, walking is encouraged to minimize swelling and avoid the risk of deep venous thrombosis, especially with catheter or endovenous treatment.

It is important that feet are kept raised above the heart whenever possible.

Circulatory system

Reviewed last on: 7/22/2008
Shimul A. Shah, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Rasmussen LH, Bjoern L, Lawaetz M, Blemings A, Lawaetz B, Eklof B. Randomized trial comparing endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein with high ligation and stripping in patients with varicose veins: short-term results. J Vasc Surg. 2007 Aug;46(2):308-15.

Kalteis M, Berger I, Messie-Werndl S, Pistrich R, Schimetta W, Pölz W, Hieller F. High ligation combined with stripping and endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein: early results of a randomized controlled study. J Vasc Surg. 2008 Apr;47(4):822-9.

Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2008:chap 68.

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