Conservative Management
This requires the patient to sit with their legs up whenever
possible, and to wear compression stockings throughout
the day.
Surgical Treatment
This
is called Ligation and Stripping. It involves an opening
at the groin so the top of the greater saphenous vein
can be tied off and cut.
The redundant vein is now stripped out of the leg via
an incision at the knee.
Performed under general anesthetic this will cure the
problem as the faulty vein is removed. The current treatment
of choice.
Traumatizes the tissues and may damage small nerves
along the course of the vein.
Long recovery period (up to 2 weeks) with immobility
and pain.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy - Where an irritant
chemical is injected into the vein following by tight
compression.
Excellent for small veins as a cosmetic procedure but
not as effective for the greater saphenous vein to treat
the underlying problem.
Limited in the size of vein which can be treated so
many patients will not be suitable candidates for this
technique.
Radio Frequency Thermal Treatment - Using heat generated
from a radio frequency electric current to close the
greater saphenous vein from inside.
Limited in the size of vein which can be treated so
many patients will not be suitable candidates for this
technique.
|
