Varicose Veins Surgery: Costs, Treatment Options, and What to Expect

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that usually appear just below the skin’s surface, most commonly in the legs. Though often considered a cosmetic issue, varicose veins can cause discomfort and in some cases, serious health complications. 

Understanding the costs, available treatment options, and what to expect during varicose vein surgery can help individuals make informed decisions about their vascular health.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are caused by the weakening or damage of valves within the veins, which causes blood to pool and the veins to enlarge. These valves are essential in ensuring that blood flows back to the heart, especially from the lower extremities. Factors such as prolonged standing or walking increase pressure in the leg veins, making varicose veins more prevalent in these areas.

Costs of Varicose Vein Treatments

The cost of varicose vein treatments can vary greatly depending on the chosen method, geographic location, and whether the procedure is deemed cosmetic or medically necessary.

Varicose veins can be treated with lifestyle modifications like exercise and compression stockings, as well as medical procedures including sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and surgery. Treatment costs vary based on the procedure and the clinic or hospital’s location. Prices for varicose vein treatment in India range from INR 25,000 to INR 2,50,000.

It is important to note that treatment prices vary depending on the stage and degree of varicose veins.

Types of TreatmentAverage Cost (INR)
Sclerotherapy27,500
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)80,000
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)c70,000
Surgical Vein Stripping50,000

Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors can contribute to the development of varicose veins:

  • A family history of varicose veins increases the likelihood of developing them.
  • Women are more prone to varicose veins, partly due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause.
  • The risk grows with age as veins lose elasticity and valves weaken.
  • Prolonged periods of standing or sitting, obesity, and lack of exercise can elevate the risk.
  • Pregnancy, constipation, and chronic cough, etc., increase intra-abdominal pressure and thereby contribute to varicose vein formation.

Varicose Veins Symptoms

Varicose veins can range from being minor cosmetic concerns to causing significant discomfort. Common symptoms include:

  • They appear twisted and bulging, appearing like cords; they are often dark purple or blue.
  • The patient has chronic aches or sensation of pain or a feeling of weight in the legs that are especially persistent in patients who have had long periods of standing or sitting.
  • Swelling of the lower legs and ankles
  • Pruritus over the affected veins or around the skin lesions.
  • Muscle Spasm or Burns
  • Leg cramps or feeling of burning pain.

If untreated, it might also result in skin ulcers, blood clots, and hemorrhages.

Diagnosing Varicose Veins

A doctor diagnoses varicose veins through physical examination. He or she will look at your veins when standing, checking for swelling and alterations in vein appearance. Some further tests may include:

  1. Venous Doppler Ultrasound: This is a pain-free test that uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow through the valve of a vein and detect blood clots.
  2. Duplex Ultrasound: This combines traditional ultrasound with Doppler to give a very specific image of the veins, which helps in establishing the severity of the case.

Treatment

Treatment of varicose veins differs with the seriousness of the condition and presence of symptoms. The available options range from self-care measures to minimally invasive procedures and surgery.

Self-Care Measures

For individuals who have mildly developed varicose veins or with minimal symptoms, self-care strategies can provide relief and prevent progression:

  • Regular Exercise: Walking or swimming activities improve blood circulation.
  • Leg Elevation: When sitting or lying down, elevate the legs to reduce swelling.
  • Weight Management: Maintaining healthy weight reduces pressure on the veins.
  • Avoid Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Frequent change of position prevents blood from collecting in the veins.

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are the first point of treatment in most cases with varicose veins. Specially designed, these stockings place gentle pressure on the legs, aid blood flow, and reduce swelling. They come in different types and strengths, although some require prescription. 

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Medical procedures can effectively treat varicose veins when self-care and compression stockings are insufficient. These procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis, so patients can return home the same day.

Sclerotherapy

It injects a solution or foam directly into the varicose veins, causing scarring and eventual closure. Time will pass before the treated veins fade and disappear. Multiple sessions may be needed to achieve optimal results. This is generally done without anesthetic.

Laser Treatment

Laser therapy uses concentrated light to heat and close varicose veins. The treated veins gradually fade as they are reabsorbed by the body. Laser treatment is non-invasive and does not require any incisions or needles.

Radiofrequency or Laser Ablation

Larger varicose veins can be treated by radiofrequency or laser-based catheter interventions. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein, and energy heats the catheter’s tip, thereby causing the vein to collapse and seal up. Once the catheter is withdrawn, the vein stays closed, and the blood flows into the healthier veins.

High Ligation and Vein Stripping

This surgical technique involves ligating the involved vein close to its junction with a deep vein and then exercising it through small incisions. Although effective, this procedure is less commonly performed today because of the availability of less invasive treatments. It is usually done on an outpatient basis, and most patients can return to normal activities shortly after.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a technique applied to remove the smaller varicose veins with tiny punctures in the skin. It numbs the area locally, and with specific instruments, extracts the veins from the skin, which is followed by very minor scarring, usually performed as an adjunctive procedure with other treatments for full management of veins.

Surgical Extraction

In cases of severe varicose veins that do not respond to other treatments, surgical removal may be necessary. This option is generally reserved for individuals with significant discomfort or complications. The surgery involves ligation and stripping the problematic veins, ensuring that blood flow is redirected through healthier pathways.

What to Expect During Varicose Vein Surgery

Varicose vein surgery can be relatively simple, especially with minimally invasive techniques. Here is what patients can generally expect:

Pre-Procedure

A comprehensive assessment by a vascular specialist, which may include a physical examination and possibly imaging tests, to decide on the best course of treatment. Patients may be given advice on fasting, medications, and transportation after the procedure.

Procedure

For most procedures, local anesthesia is administered to numb the treatment area. General anesthesia is rarely used for most varicose vein treatments. For sclerotherapy, injections are administered directly into the veins. Laser treatments apply laser energy to the veins. Catheter-based procedures require a catheter inserted into the vein.

After the Procedure

Most minimally invasive procedures allow patients to resume their normal activities in a day. More extensive surgeries may take a day or two to rest. Compression stockings after the procedure support the treated veins and aid in healing.

Potential Risks and Complications

Although varicose vein surgeries are usually considered safe, some potential risks include:

  • Even though this is relatively rare, infections may develop at the incision site.
  • There’s a slight risk of blood clot development which may need further treatment.
  • Temporary or, rarely permanent damage to nerves could result.
  • Around the treated veins, some patients may observe skin discoloration.

Conclusion

Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular conditions that can range from a minor aesthetic concern to a source of significant discomfort and health complications. To provide an effective treatment, the various options, especially self-care measures, compression therapy, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery, need to be understood and individually applied. 

Varying in terms of both cost and type of treatment, most procedures both treat the medical aspect and provide a cosmetic component. Patients can seek consultation with a healthcare provider to determine treatment that best fits their need and targets symptom relief as well as quality of life.


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