varicose vein surgery

26 October 2023

This fact sheet will provide you with knowledge and advice on what to do before and after varicose vein surgery.

varicose nodescalled dilated areas of veins, most often found in the legs and thighs. The area of their distribution can be limited or more extensive, in most cases they form thickenings and cords that resemble a vine. Varicose veins occur regardless of age in both men and women. However, it is more common in women and the factors that contribute to its appearance are pregnancy and age-related changes. Signs of possible varicose veins include leg swelling and fatigue. In this case, you need to sit for 10-15 minutes and raise your legs higher.

Untreated varicose veins can lead to ulcers which, due to poor blood supply, require long-term treatment. Ulcers can become inflamed, which in turn poses a risk of gangrene.

Before the surgery

A week before surgery, a blood test, an electrocardiogram (ECG of the heart) and, if necessary, an X-ray of the lungs are performed on an outpatient basis.
When you go to surgery, take elastic bandages with you, which, on the recommendation of your doctor, you can purchase at the pharmacy.
The night before surgerytake a shower or bath.
When you go to surgery, make sure you do not eat for at least 6 hours and do not drink for 4 hours before surgery. Do not smoke or chew gum for at least 6 hours before surgery.
If you regularly take medications, for example those containing the substance insulin, consult your doctor about what to do before and on the day of surgery.

Operation

During the operation, subcutaneous sections of pathologically altered (varicose) veins are removed. To do this, incisions are made in the skin in the groin area and, in most cases, additional incisions are made in the thighs and legs. The size of the incisions and their number depend on the size of the varicose veins. The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia in the lower part of the body. This means that a single injection is given into the lower back, causing the lower body to lose sensation for several hours.

After the operation

The patient is usually discharged from the hospital the same day or the next. To get home, you will have to arrange your own transportation.

Movement after surgery

After the operation, when the anesthesia has worn off, you will be able to get up and move around, but you will need to wrap your leg with an elastic bandage.
On the first postoperative day, limit movement based on how you feel.
It is not recommended to go up and down stairs.
Try not to stand or sit in a position without moving your legs (especially your calf muscles).
Gradually increase your activity over the next few days. Let your legs rest both in the morning and at lunchtime and at night, raising them for at least an hour (for example, on pillows). Follow this regimen for several months.
Depending on the operation and the nature of your work, you will be able to start working again in 1-3 weeks.
You will be able to move actively in approximately 3-4 weeks.

Pain and pain relief.

There may be pain in the area of the surgical wounds.
Pain relievers should be taken as prescribed by your doctor.
If your doctor has not prescribed pain relievers, you can use products that are sold in pharmacies without a prescription and are intended for moderate pain.

Wear an elastic bandage and compression stockings.

For 1 or 2 days after surgery, the elastic bandage should be on your feet at all times (it must be worn constantly).
Afterwards, for 2 months, it is enough to wear an elastic bandage or compression stockings only during the day.
Wearing an elastic bandage or compression stocking speeds recovery, prevents swelling, helps prevent new varicose veins, and prevents blood clots from forming.

How to apply an elastic bandage or compression stocking

An elastic bandage or compression stocking is applied while lying down.
Always start bandaging from the toes, leaving them uncovered. Apply the bandage to the veins carefully, so that the leg experiences slight pressure. Also cover the heel with the bandage.
Apply the bandage so that each new layer covers 2/3 of the previous one, including the knee.
Use a roll of bandage to wrap your leg up to about the knee and secure the end of the bandage with a clip. When applying the next roll, cover the end of the previous bandage first.
The end of the bandage must be fixed with clamps. The bandage should be applied tightly enough so that it does not slide along the leg. At the same time, the bandage should not put pressure on the leg and cause numbness.
If the bandage is uncomfortable and slips, it can be replaced with a compression stocking that, like a bandage, puts pressure on the tissue.
Stocking pressure varies. Compression stockings should fit exactly. The pressure on the leg should be noticeable, but the stockings should not pinch. To determine the correct size, your doctor or healthcare provider will measure your foot in three places.
It is recommended to wear compression stockings even two months after surgery, especially if you have to sit or stand for a long time. Compression stockings reduce leg fatigue and help prevent the formation of new varicose veins.

Wound care and hygiene.

Cleanliness plays an important role in wound care. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling a wound.

The first wound care and dressing change is usually done the day after the operation in the hospital.
Perform second wound care at home after a few days. Remove any bandages from the wound, wash your leg in the shower, and pat the wound area dry with a towel. After this, it is no longer necessary to use the patches (although it is not prohibited), and an elastic bandage should be applied according to the instructions.
If it is not possible to wash the wound, clean it by rinsing it with a wound cleanser (preferably a sterile 0. 9% NaCl solution at room temperature, which can be purchased at the pharmacy).
It is necessary to avoid rubbing the wound and putting pressure on it.
You can go to the sauna, bathe and swim only after all the stitches have been removed and the wounds have healed.

Remove points

The wound sutures are removed after 10 to 12 days in a clinic or by a family doctor.
The patch applied to the wound after removing the stitches can be removed within a day.
The wound must be kept clean. It should not be rubbed vigorously and should be dried gently even after removing the stitches.

Possible complications

If symptoms of inflammation appear in the wound area, contact your family doctor or the surgeon who operated on you.
redness and swelling in the wound area;
increased pain or sudden pain in the calves;
wound discharge (eg, blood, pus);
increased body temperature.