Consumer Information

Vein Stripping

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Vein stripping is surgery done to take out varicose veins. Varicose veins are large and twisted veins that are commonly seen in your legs. They may occur in your calves, thighs, and the back of your knees. Veins are blood vessels that bring blood from your body back to your heart. Varicose veins may look like bluish or purplish, snake-like veins under your skin. Varicose veins may also bulge out under your skin. You may feel that your varicose veins give your legs an unsightly appearance. Varicose veins may cause severe leg pains that make it hard to do your daily activities. Your legs may tire easily and they may feel numb, itchy, or tingly (pins and needles). You may also have leg cramps that occur mostly at night.
Vein stripping may be done to relieve your symptoms. It may also be done to improve the appearance of your legs. During surgery, your caregiver will strip (pull out) your varicose veins through cuts made in your legs. Other procedures, such as sclerotherapy (using chemicals to make veins smaller), may also be done with vein stripping. Your caregiver may also use cryotherapy (freezing the veins) or electric probes during the surgery. Ask your caregiver for more information about other procedures that may be done for your varicose veins.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

With vein stripping, your leg may bruise, swell, or get infected. You may also have scarring where the cuts were made. You may have an allergic response to the anesthesia or bandages that are used for your surgery. During surgery, you may bleed more than expected and need a blood transfusion. Your nerves may be damaged causing pain, numbness, or a burning feeling in your leg. You may also have trouble moving your leg or foot. Blood clots may form and lead to thrombophlebitis (blocked inflamed veins) or deep venous thrombosis (blocked deep veins). Blood clots in your legs may loosen and travel to the blood vessels in your lungs. Blood clots in your lungs may make it hard for you to breathe, and you may die.
Even if you have the surgery, your symptoms or varicose veins may come back. If you do not have the surgery, abnormal blood flow in your varicose veins may not go away. Your varicose veins may increase in size and number, and your symptoms may worsen. You may also develop phlebitis (swollen veins). Increased pressure inside your veins may lead to skin ulcers (open sores). Varicose veins may also cause bleeding and swelling in your leg. Call your caregiver if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, surgery, or care.

GETTING READY:

Before your surgery:

Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your caregiver if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
You may need to take blood-thinning medicine before your surgery. Blood thinners help stop clots from forming in your blood. Clots may cause strokes, heart attacks, and death.
Your caregiver will ask about the symptoms you are having. He will also look at your legs and varicose veins. You may need to have a duplex ultrasound before your surgery. This test may show what the veins in your thighs and legs look like. It may also show if you have abnormal blood flow or connections in your veins. Ask your caregiver for more information about these and other tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

The night before your surgery:

Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

The day of your surgery:

Write down the correct date, time, and location of your surgery.
What to bring: You may want to bring items such as a toothbrush and bathrobe.
You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal piece of paper (consent form). It gives your caregiver permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Be sure all your questions have been answered before you sign this form.
Caregivers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, you may be given liquids and medicine.
An anesthesiologist may talk to you before your surgery. This caregiver may give you medicine to make you sleepy before your procedure or surgery. Tell your caregiver if you or anyone in your family has had a problem using anesthesia in the past.

TREATMENT:

What will happen:

You will be taken to the room where your surgery will be done. Medicine called anesthesia will be given to make you more comfortable during your surgery. The medicine may numb the area and dull your pain, or keep you asleep and pain-free during your surgery. You and your caregiver will work together to decide which anesthesia is best for you. A caregiver will clean your skin around the area where your surgery will be done. A tourniquet (tight band) may be wrapped around your thigh or leg to help decrease bleeding. Your caregiver will make a small cut near the top of your thigh over the vein to be removed.
Your veins have branches coming off of them that will be tied off. Special tools will be used to take the varicose vein out of your leg. The vein may then be pulled out through the cut in your thigh. The vein may also be pulled out through another cut made near your knee or ankle. Other cuts may be made in your leg to take out other varicose veins. A drain (thin tube) may be inserted in an area near your groin to remove extra blood and fluid. The cuts will be closed with stitches or special strips, and covered with tight bandages.

After your surgery: You will be taken to a room after your surgery. You legs may be raised up on pillows. You may also have compression stockings on. These are tight elastic stockings that help prevent bleeding and swelling in your legs after your surgery. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. When you are fully awake and have feeling back in your legs, you may be able to go home. You will be taken back to your room if you are staying in the hospital. A caregiver may remove your bandages after surgery to check your wounds.

Waiting room: This is a room where your family and friends can wait until you are ready for visitors. If your family leaves the hospital, ask them to leave a phone number where they can be reached.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

You cannot make it to your surgery.
You get sick (a cold or the flu) or have a fever (high body temperature).

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

You have swelling in one or both of your ankles.
You have open sores on your legs.
You have bad pain in one or both of your legs that does not go away with rest.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page

	Search:
Browse all medications A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z	Advanced Search