Ambulatory Phlebectomy - Vascular Surgery

Ambulatory Phlebectomy Treatment Abroad

Overview

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a medical term that describes veins stripping or the process of like dating varicose veins. The procedure removes unsightly varicose veins from the surface of the legs. The process is most commonly performed in an ambulatory are outpatient setting. Removal of superficial varicose veins not only enhances comfort for individuals, but may also increase self-esteem and self-confidence.

Who Benefits From Phlebectomy Procedures?

Anyone concerned with an increase in the appearance of varicose veins on the lower extremities may benefit from a phlebectomy procedure, although the procedure is generally limited to superficial varicose veins situated on the surface of the skin. Treatment of varicose veins may help relieve swelling, pain, and generalized aching sensations felt in the lower extremities when sitting or standing.  In conjunction with regular diet and exercise, as well as the use of compression stockings, individuals who undergo ambulatory phlebectomy enjoy less pain, increased mobility and quality of life.

Phlebectomy Procedure Description

During a phlebectomy procedure, the doctor removes small varicose veins through a number of very small punctures in the skin. The procedure is performed under a local anesthetic that numbs the areas of the legs being treated. An outpatient procedure, phlebectomy treatments are relatively pain-free and enable patients to return home the same day.

During the procedure, the area to be treated is identified and illuminated via a tumescent cannula or a very small thin tube with a light attached to one end. This is placed beneath the varicose vein. This enables surgeons to easily view varicose veins through the surface of the skin.  Following illumination, a vein remover, a small, narrow surgical device, is guided to the vein utilizing the view provided by the cannula.  The vein is then suctioned through an opening at one end of the vein remover. A blade then cuts the vein into very small pieces that are then suctioned and removed from the body.

A Phlebectomy procedure takes roughly 30 minutes per area.  Nearly microscopic incisions don't require stitches, and individuals may go home roughly 1 hour post surgical procedure. An ambulatory phlebectomy procedure is completed in four relatively simple steps:

• Identify the veins to be treated
• Local anesthetic injected into the skin at the sight
• Removal of the varicose veins through very small incisions
• Wearing of compression stockings for one week or so following the surgical procedure

The phlebectomy procedure is usually completed through the TIPP technique -transilluminated powered phlebectomy. This procedure utilizes a small wand or tube that looks like a very thin, narrow flashlight. This tube is placed just beneath the surface of the skin and turned on, much like a flashlight. The device enables the surgeon to accurately identify and focus on specific varicose veins for easy, accurate removal.

Who Performs the Phlebectomy?

Ambulatory phlebectomy procedures are performed by a trained and certified vascular surgeon. A vascular surgeon is a specialist in the treatment of diseases and injuries to the arteries and veins in the body. Vascular surgeons around the world typically train four to eight years post- internship in this field. Vascular surgeons often work in close conjunction with radiology clinics and endovascular specialists and are experienced in procedures like angioplasty and stenting. 

Training and certification in vascular surgery differ by country, but professionals should belong to standard bodies of organizations or professional organizations such as the American College of Surgeons, the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, or the Australian and New Zealand Society of Vascular Surgery.

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