Overview
Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous superficial veins, most commonly affecting the legs that develop when the one-way valves within the veins become incompetent, causing blood to pool and veins to become engorged and visibly bulging. Symptoms include aching, heaviness, swelling, itching, skin discolouration, and in advanced cases, ulceration. Varicose veins affect a significant proportion of the adult population and can significantly impact quality of life and lower limb health if left untreated. Surgical treatment is indicated for symptomatic varicose veins, complications such as thrombophlebitis or bleeding, and venous skin changes or ulceration.
The Procedure
At ILS Hospitals, varicose vein surgery involves ligation and stripping of the great or small saphenous vein, combined with multiple phlebectomies through tiny incisions to remove the visibly dilated varicosities. The procedure is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia. The saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction is ligated and divided, followed by stripping of the main trunk using a flexible stripper passed within the vein lumen. The multiple varicosities are then extracted through small puncture sites using fine hooks. Elastic compression bandaging is applied immediately post-operatively. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes and can be performed as a day-care or short-stay procedure.
Recovery
Patients are encouraged to mobilise and walk as soon as possible after surgery to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Compression stockings are worn for 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively. Mild bruising, swelling, and numbness in the leg may persist for several weeks and gradually resolve. Most patients return to light activity within 1 to 2 weeks and full activity within 4 weeks. At ILS Hospitals, our vascular surgical team provides comprehensive assessment, precise surgical execution, and thorough post-operative guidance to ensure durable, cosmetically satisfactory results and long-term relief from the symptoms of venous insufficiency.
