Can vomiting reopen a closed vein?

A day after having radiofrequency ablation of the greater saphenous vein in my left leg, I became ill and vomited. I heard that vomiting can reopen the closed vein. It wasn't excessive, but is this something that I should be concerned about?

Answers from doctors (5)


Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

Published on Feb 09, 2013

It's unlikely, but possible. The follow-up ultrasound should let you know.

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Answered by Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

It's unlikely, but possible. The follow-up ultrasound should let you know.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Feb 08, 2013

Unlikely to happen. Your MD can check with a quick ultrasound though.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Unlikely to happen. Your MD can check with a quick ultrasound though.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Feb 08, 2013

It would be very unlikely that vomiting would reopen a vein post-closure. However, you should have a follow-up scheduled to check the treated vein. That is as a standard of care. I hope you are feeling better soon.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

It would be very unlikely that vomiting would reopen a vein post-closure. However, you should have a follow-up scheduled to check the treated vein. That is as a standard of care. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Feb 08, 2013

The feeling is that increasing intra-abdominal pressure can lead to greater back pressure in the veins, causing them to reopen. I think that this is more theoretical than real. I have never heard of this happening. A more likely reason for a vein reopening is inadequate closure during the procedure. I would not worry about your vomiting episode. Most likely you will also have a completion ultrasound after the procedure, which will look at the treated vein.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

The feeling is that increasing intra-abdominal pressure can lead to greater back pressure in the veins, causing them to reopen. I think that this is more theoretical than real. I have never heard of this happening. A more likely reason for a vein reopening is inadequate closure during the procedure. I would not worry about your vomiting episode. Most likely you will also have a completion ultrasound after the procedure, which will look at the treated vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Feb 08, 2013

You are correct in that vomiting can and often does increase venous pressure. It is unlikely, however, that you vomited violently enough or long enough to cause any recanalization or reopening of the vein that has been closed.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

You are correct in that vomiting can and often does increase venous pressure. It is unlikely, however, that you vomited violently enough or long enough to cause any recanalization or reopening of the vein that has been closed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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