My doctor didn't notice the saphenous vein was abnormal until right before the microphlebectomy was to be done. He suggested that we could do the endovenous laser ablation later on. Will the same results be achieved if the microphlebectomy was done first?
The process (microphlebectomy before endovenous laser ablation) should be fine. Just proceed soon before more veins have time to develop.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Varicose veins are a result of the valvular insufficiency in the saphenous trunk. If microphlebectomies are done first, then the source of the problem still exists. This is a backwards way of solving the problem.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
There should be no harm in doing a phlebectomy before the ablation, but you may develop new veins if the saphenous vein isn't sealed with ablation. Varicose veins are often a sort of "pressure relief system" for a deeper vein which is refluxing. This can cause pressure on smaller branches.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes. However, if you wait a few years to treat the small saphenous vein (SSV), then new varices are more likely appear in the interim period.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Conceivably yes. However, your situation begs the question: did you have a complete venous ultrasound study done prior to surgery? If so, why was the venous incompetence in your saphenous vein not noted by both the RVT who did the study and/or your doctor? This should have been discussed with you prior to having the microphlebectomy since, as you alluded, the saphenous vein is incompetent or "abnormal." The end result will, in all likelihood, be fine. The order they've taken is just rather backwards. It is a bit like putting the cart before the horse. We would normally do the closure of the incompetent vein first and then do the microstab phlebectomies either at the same time or at a later date after seeing if the closure causes the varicosities to diminish. Sometimes, closure is all that is needed to diminish the varicosity.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Probably yes, but sometimes if the refluxing vein is treated first, then you might not need the phlebectomy. The other potential problem is that there might be more bleeding during the phlebectomy if the source of reflux has not been treated first.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, the same results can be achieved if a microphlebectomy is performed before endovenous laser ablation.
Published on Jul 11, 2012