What is Ambulatory Phlebectomy for Varicose Veins?

What is Ambulatory Phlebectomy for Varicose Veins?

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Texas Vein & Wellness Institute

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a good option for treating varicose veins when they aren’t suitable for sclerotherapy or laser ablation treatments. Here is what you should know about ambulatory phlebectomy and who is a good candidate for this procedure.

What it is

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a procedure that uses small, slit-like incisions in the skin to remove varicose and large spider veins that are near the surface of the skin.

Is it like vein stripping?

No, ambulatory phlebectomy takes the place of vein stripping, which is a surgical procedure that is done under general or local anesthesia to remove diseased veins. Ambulatory phlebectomy is minimally invasive and doesn’t require general anesthesia or sutures.

Who is a good candidate?

If you have varicose veins near the surface of the skin that are too large for sclerotherapy treatment or too small for laser ablation, then you may be a candidate for ambulatory phlebectomy. The veins must be large and visible to the eye. You should be in good general health, at or near a healthy weight and a non-smoker. If you have a blood-clotting disorder, you may not be a good candidate for this procedure.

We can discuss whether you’re a good candidate in a consultation.

How long is the procedure?

This outpatient procedure takes 45-60 minutes. Your provider will mark the targeted veins, then administer a local anesthetic. This anesthetic ensures you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. The procedure consists of making tiny incisions over the diseased vein and inserting a surgical hook through the incisions to remove the vein section by section.

What can I expect after the procedure?

The great news is that once the procedure is finished, bandages will cover the incisions, and they won’t require sutures. You will wear compression bandages over the treated areas for one week to help with swelling and discomfort.

What results can I expect?

Since your diseased vein will be removed, you won’t see them any longer. The small incisions will become barely visible after 6-12 months. You can expect some swelling and bruising and skin pigmentation changes over the treated area, but this will dissipate over a short period of time.

Are the results permanent?

Yes, this diseased vein will be gone for good, but you can still develop other varicose veins that will need to be treated.