I had vein stripping surgery 11 years ago, but my feet have gotten worse. Is it safe to have an endovenous laser treatment after vein stripping surgery? Will I still have enough veins to support my legs? I am 40 years old now.
Hi and thank you for your question.
I recommend a complete evaluation and ultrasound imaging first to assess the lower extremity venous system and see what the best approach is to take care of your veins and symptoms. There are advanced treatment options that can be combined for best approach and final results to target venous reflux and help the venous circulation. However, an in-person evaluation with a vein expert is necessary to determine a treatment plan for you.
All the best!
Published on Jul 11, 2012
EVLT can be done after vein stripping. A venous reflux ultrasound will determine where the problem is. There are many additional veins in your leg to return the blood.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, endovenous laser treatment can be done after vein stripping surgery. You will have enough veins to support your legs.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) is safe and effective after vein stripping surgery. The superficial veins (directly under your skin) can all be safely eliminated without you losing support to your legs. The deep veins (in the middle of your leg) take almost all normal blood flow out of your leg, and those deep veins are all you need. EVLT is easily performed after vein stripping surgery, but you should still obtain a proper ultrasound exam of the leg. Those patients who have had previous vein stripping surgery almost always require additional ancillary procedures besides EVLT. These additional components work to fully treat their vein disease. Residual abnormal vein branches/varicose clusters are typically present after both vein stripping and EVLT, and most patients require ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) and/or microphlebectomy to achieve complete control of venous disease symptoms. UGFS is far superior to the surgical option of microphlebectomy. In my experience, every patient who has had prior vein stripping has required UGFS to completely eradicate abnormal veins. Surgical phlebectomy leaves some abnormal veins behind because not all abnormal veins can be removed surgically.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, it is safe to have an endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) after vein stripping surgery. However, EVLT
does not treat problematic veins in the feet; rather, it is used to treat a refluxing saphenous vein and only as low as the mid-calf .
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I have performed endovenous laser treatment on many patients who have had their veins stripped. Often times, we find that other veins can become the problem.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
There is no reason that endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) cannot be used after vein stripping surgery, but obviously not on the same vein (since it was removed as part of the stripping procedure). Recurrent disease after vein stripping is not uncommon. If a truncal vein (great or small saphenous) or accessory saphenous vein is involved, an ablative therapy like EVLT or RF (radiofrequency) may be appropriate. If the truncal veins have been closed, then foam sclerotherapy may be appropriate. You can have these questions answered for you specifically in consultation with a vein care physician. An ultrasound examination will be necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012