Operation

Varicose veins are often removed surgically. Especially when there are complications, alternative treatment attempts fail or for aesthetic reasons. Two procedures have become established: vein stripping: This procedure is used when minimally invasive procedures are not possible due to the location and size of the vein.

In this procedure, a so-called stripper is inserted into the vein through a probe and is withdrawn again through a second incision at the other end of the vein. This enables the removal of the entire varicose vein without a large skin incision. Phlebektomy (hook method): A special hook is inserted into the subcutaneous fatty tissue through a small skin incision.

The vein is then grasped with the hook and can be pulled out.

Vein Stripping: This procedure is used when minimally invasive procedures are not possible due to the location and size of the vein. A so-called stripper is inserted into the vein through a probe and is withdrawn through a second incision at the other end of the vein. This enables the removal of the entire varicose vein without a large skin incision.
Phlebektomy (hook method): Here a special hook is inserted into the subcutaneous fatty tissue through a small skin incision. The vein is then grasped with the hook and can be pulled out.

Further treatment options

The obliteration of varicose veins, known as sclerotherapy, is usually only used for smaller varicose veins, the so-called spider veins, because developed varicose veins are too large for successful obliteration. During the procedure, patients are injected with a sclerosing agent, which causes the veins to stick together (sclerosing) as a result of an inflammation caused by the agent. The vein is thus transformed into a strand of connective tissue by the procedure.

Laser treatment is more suitable for large varicose veins, as the laser is inserted directly into the vein. A special technology has been developed for this treatment, which is called ELVeS (Endo Laser Vein System). This is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed either under local anesthesia or in the patient’s twilight sleep.

After the laser has been inserted into the vein, the vein is reduced in size by the heat, so that no more blood congestion is possible. The procedure takes about one hour in total. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, so that the patient can go home afterwards and can put weight on the leg immediately.