Do you suffer from large, bulging varicose veins? You’re not alone. Research indicates that about 20% of Americans struggle with varicose veins and related symptoms. Fortunately, there’s a procedure that can help: ambulatory phlebectomy.
At Hamptons Vein & Vascular, Dr. Rashmi Sharma and our highly skilled providers understand how frustrating painful and unsightly varicose veins can be. To help our patients in Rutherford and Westfield, New Jersey, combat the symptoms associated with varicose veins, we offer in-office ambulatory phlebectomy as part of our comprehensive line of vein and vascular services.
But is this minimally invasive procedure right for you? Read on to learn what’s involved with ambulatory phlebectomy and whether it’s the best treatment option for you.
What is ambulatory phlebectomy?
Ambulatory phlebectomy, also known as a microincision phlebectomy, is a minimally invasive, effective procedure used to remove troublesome veins near the surface of your skin. This procedure is most commonly used to treat varicose veins.
Ambulatory phlebectomy is an outpatient procedure performed using local anesthesia. Depending on the extent of your veins, you may need more than one ambulatory phlebectomy procedure to remove the problem veins entirely.
Is ambulatory phlebectomy right for me?
The best way to determine if ambulatory phlebectomy is right for you is by consulting with a vein specialist like Dr. Sharma. Dr. Sharma evaluates your medical history and symptoms to arrive at a customized treatment plan that meets your needs.
There are factors to consider when determining if ambulatory phlebectomy is the best treatment option. Consider these questions when thinking about whether this procedure is right for you:
1. Do I have varicose veins or symptoms of varicose veins?
Ambulatory phlebectomy primarily treats varicose veins, the ropey, bulging, purple, blue, or red veins that are most commonly found in your legs and feet. In addition to their appearance, symptoms of varicose veins include tingling, numbness, pain, and discomfort in the affected leg.
Sometimes patients have additional conditions related to varicose veins that may be treated with ambulatory phlebectomy. These include chronic venous insufficiency, or abnormal blood flow that causes swelling in your legs and ankles as well as changes to your skin and veins, and venous stasis ulcers, hard-to-treat sores that form on your skin due to untreated varicose veins.
2. Are my affected veins close to the surface of my skin?
Ambulatory phlebectomy works best on veins that are superficial, or close to the surface of your skin. If your affected veins are bulging and superficial, it could be the right treatment option for you.
3. Am I willing and able to follow post-procedure instructions?
To foster healing, ambulatory phlebectomy patients are required to wear compression stockings or socks after the procedure. You must also be able to walk and move around after the procedure to encourage blood flow in your legs.
If you’re unable or unwilling to wear stockings and move around, this procedure isn’t for you.
4. Do I have any contraindications?
Ambulatory phlebectomy isn’t for everyone. If any of the following apply to you, you may not be a candidate for the procedure:
- Are pregnant or recovering from childbirth
- Had major surgery in the past three months
- Were diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis
What can I expect during and after ambulatory phlebectomy?
During your ambulatory phlebectomy procedure, Dr. Sharma or another Hamptons Vein & Vascular provider numbs the treatment area with a local anesthetic. Tiny punctures in the skin are then made with small needles. These wounds are extremely small and don’t require sutures.
Your provider then uses a needle hook to enter the puncture and remove the vein. Even large veins easily move through the tiny incisions because they collapse as they are pulled through.
After your procedure, you can expect some mild pain and bruising. You can walk immediately following the procedure and you must wear a compression stocking for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can remove the stocking and resume your normal activities.
If you think ambulatory phlebectomy could be the right choice for you, contact the Hamptons Vein & Vascular office nearest you today.