Ambulatory Phlebectomy

What is Ambulatory Phlebectomy?
Ambulatory Phlebectomy is a safe and effective office procedure for removing varicose veins.

Pre medication with valium is used. The veins are identified and marked with the patient standing. Anesthesia using large volume, low concentration lidocaine decrease pain and lasts for many hours.

Skin incisions or needle punctures as small as 1mm are used to extract veins with a phleboectomy hook. The procedure is well tolerated by patients and produces good cosmetic results. Long-term results are excellent as long as the most proximal source of reflux is eliminated. In contrast to sclerotherapy of large varicose veins, ambulatory phlebectomy minimizes the risks of intra-arterial injection, skin necrosis, and residual hyperpigmentation.

In contrast to traditional vein stripping, the small size of the skin incision or puncture usually results in little or no scarring. Performed with the patient under local anesthesia in the office, ambulatory phlebectomy leads to greatly reduced surgical risks compared with traditional surgery.

What veins are suitable for Phlebectomy?
Ambulatory phlebectomy is best for tortuous varicosities. Radiofrequency ablation catheters cannot easily be passed along a tortuous vein.

What studies will I need?
Prior to phlebectomy you will need a duplex ultrasound to make sure the deep veins have no relux.

Do I need the veins that have been removed?
NO! Because the veins are diseased and not working properly they are not used by heart surgeons during coronary artery bypass.

Will I have scars?
The Incisions are so small that scarring is not seen.

What are the complications?
Most complications are minor and resolve spontaneously.

The chief complications are swelling, bleeding, bruising, scarring, and blisters from the wound dressings, nerve injury with sensory disturbances rarely occur.

Infections, keloids and hypertropic scars are extremely rare.

What are the Contraindications?
Contraindications to ambulatory phlebectomy are reflux in the greater and lesser saphenous veins. These veins must be treated by other means such endovenous radiofrequency.

What will I need to do after surgery?
Ambulate frequently and do not sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

No heavy listing for 48 hours, the bandages, ace wrap and compression stockings should be kept on for 48 hours. The dressings will be changed in the doctors office. Support hose should be used for 2 weeks. No jogging, running, or strenuous exercise for 2 weeks. You will need to protect your legs from the sun for 2 months.

Will I be out of work?
No. Most patients can go back to work in 24 hours.

What are the long term results?
Long term results after phlebectomy are excellent with 95% success rate.