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Circulatory system

Varicose vein stripping

Definition

Vein stripping is surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs. These veins are removed because they are large and painful, and they affect the way the leg looks.

Alternative Names

Saphenectomy; Vein stripping with ligation, avulsion, or ablation

Description

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, painful veins that have filled with blood. They usually develop in the legs. Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing so it does not collect in one place. But the valves in varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when you are standing.

Vein stripping for this problem is done in a doctor's office or clinic. Most people receive general anesthesia before this surgery. Will be unconscious and unable to feel pain. Vein stripping takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Your surgeon will make two small incisions (cuts) in your leg.

• The incisions will be near the top and bottom of your damaged vein. One will be in your groin. The other will be farther down your leg, either in your calf or ankle.
• Your surgeon will then thread a thin, flexible plastic wire into the vein through your groin. The wire has a small head on it. Your surgeon will guide the wire through your vein toward the other cut farther down your leg.
• As the wire is pulled out through the lower cut, the head of the wire pulls the vein down with it, out through the lower cut.
• Your surgeon may also use hooks to pull out veins during this procedure.

If you have other damaged veins, your surgeon may also make small incisions over them to remove them or tie them off.

The doctor will close the incisions with sutures (stitches). You may also have bandages and compression stockings on your leg.

Risks

Vein stripping is generally safe. Ask your doctor about specific problems that might occur.

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Bruising

The risks of for vein stripping are:

• Bruising or scarring
• Nerve injury
• Return of the varicose vein over time

Review Date: 2/9/2009
Reviewed By: Larry A. Weinrauch MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA.. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.