What Types of Venous Conditions May Be Treated with Microphlebectomy?

Patients throughout Charlotte, North Carolina and in other areas of the country have found success through microphlebectomy, a procedure designed to treat individuals suffering from varicose veins too large to treat with sclerotherapy and too small to treat with certain laser treatments. Medium-sized varicose veins have been successfully treated using this procedure. Before receiving treatment, patients are encouraged to speak with a member of the medical staff at a reputable clinic in their area to discuss their condition and to determine if microphlebectomy is right for them.

The procedure works by making a series of tiny incisions along the vein to be removed. Marks are made where the incisions should be made prior to beginning the procedure and a local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area. A tiny hook is used to grab the vein and remove it through the incisions. A dressing is placed next to the treatment area following the completion of the procedure. In most cases, microphlebectomy takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete, although this may vary.

Removing certain sections of the vein will allow the parts of the vein that were not removed to clot off so that blood can no longer flow through them. This will effectively eliminate the bulging and purplish appearance of the vein. Many patients have found success through this treatment, which is commonly performed in a doctor's office or vein treatment clinic. Patients should go over the details of the procedure with a vein specialist in the Charlotte area before receiving treatment to ensure they understand all that is involved.

The recovery following microphlebectomy is typically light and hassle-free. Most individuals return to work immediately following the procedure and daily walking is recommended. However, strenuous activities should be avoided over the next five to seven days. Compression stockings or dressings may be encouraged for about a week after treatment to aid in the healing process. For more specific recovery instructions, speak with the physician performing the procedure. The results of microphlebectomy may be noticeable right after treatment, although they should continue to improve as the bruising subsides.

Patients may experience a temporary and mild discomfort for a few days, while very few may experience injury to the tiny nerves just beneath the surface of the skin around the area where the vein was removed. The nerves should heal on their own with time, however. Whether the procedure is covered by insurance often depends on whether it is medically necessary or used as a cosmetic procedure. Insurance may cover procedures that are deemed medically necessary to treat problematic varicose veins, but may not cover the cost of treatment if it is cosmetic.

Learn more about microphlebectomy in Charlotte, North Carolina. .