What's Microphlebectomy, and How Does It Treat Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins may be problematic for individuals residing in the Monroeville, Pennsylvania area as well as in other parts of the country. Varicose veins may appear bulging from the skin and may be purplish or bluish in color, giving them a very unsightly appearance. As if that wasn't enough to make a person seek relief from this venous condition, varicose veins may even lead to pain and heaviness in the legs. Those who are suffering from this condition often seek treatment to help them find relief. One treatment that has brought relief to many individuals with varicose veins is microphlebectomy.

Also called 'stab phlebectomy', microphlebectomy is an outpatient procedure that may help treat varicose veins near the surface of the skin. It is helpful when treating veins too large for sclerotherapy, but too small for many laser procedures. There is a series of tiny incisions used to apply treatment, each about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. These incisions allow portions of the problem vein to be removed, which allows sections of the vein to clot off, helping to eliminate the symptoms and appearance of varicose veins.

Microphlebectomy is minimally-invasive compared to many traditional vein stripping procedures, and it requires only a local anesthetic instead of a general anesthetic that may require a longer recovery period. What's more, this procedure may be combined with sclerotherapy when treating deeper veins, and there is little or no downtime following treatment, which allows patients to resume normal activities or return to work immediately following treatment. Most men or women who are suffering from unsightly spider veins or varicose veins near the surface of the skin may be considered candidates for treatment, although patients should consult a Monroeville vein specialist to discuss their candidacy.

The treatment begins as the specialist determines where the tiny incisions will be made, and the area is numbed using a local anesthetic. Next, the tiny incisions are made along the length of the vein and a vein hook is used to grab the vein for removal. A dressing is placed over the treatment site after the procedure is completed. Most treatment sessions with microphlebectomy take about 30 to 45 minutes to perform. As mentioned, most are allowed to return to their normal activities immediately, but should avoid strenuous activities for about a week. Daily walking is recommended, however, and compression stockings are typically worn for a week following treatment.

Patients may begin to notice results shortly after the procedure, with results becoming more visible after the bruising resides. There is no scarring with most patients because of the tiny incisions that are used to perform the treatment. However, there are certain risks of which patients should be aware before treatment. Some may experience minor injury to the tiny nerves that are located under the skin around the treatment area. The injured nerves usually heal over time, however. Those interested should speak with a specialist in the Monroeville area to further discuss the risks involved.

If microphlebectomy is used as part of a larger procedure that treats varicose veins that are of a medical concern, then insurance may cover the cost of treatment. If used for cosmetic purposes only, then insurance probably will not cover the cost of treatment. Patients should speak with a specialist and their insurance company for more.

Learn more about microphlebectomy in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.