1. To assist blood circulation, there is the choice of either orally taking Chinese & western medicine, or using rubbed drugs or a plaster.
2. The leg will be bandaged by stretchy bandages or medical stockings will be worn
Analysis: Anti-inflammatory drugs may achieve blood circulation and stop pain, but has no significant effect on vascular lesions. Using bandages and elastic medical stockings can delay disease progression, but it is only for patients that are not suitable for surgery
TRADITIONAL SURGICAL TREATMENT
1. High ligation and stripping the great or small saphenous vein. The skin will be cut to remove groups of varicose veins
2. Operations for the deep vein
Analysis: Wound is bigger, recovery time is much longer, the hospital stay is long, lots of scarring on leg due to knife wounds, most patients are fearful so it is difficult for them to accept. The most important thing is to get an accurate preoperative diagnosis, or during surgery, there may be residual lesion, which means there is a higher recurrence rate after surgery. If a doctor makes an incorrect diagnosis or does not recognize errors, as the surgery technique is not the most efficient, it will cause the patient pain and may lead to lots of problems/complications (since he/she did not require the surgery).
SCLEROTHERAPY
The drug is directly injected into the varicose blood vessels, then it is pressure wrapped. The varicose vein lining will have an inflammatory response, and adhesion and hardening occurs. This method achieves temporary visual disappearance of varicose veins by relieving venous pressure.
Analysis: Used for stage one varicose vein patients (mild). If stage 2 patients use this method, there is a high rate for disease recurrence. Europe vascular surgeons usually performs the sclerotherapy under ultrasound guidance, and has high requirements on the choice hardening drugs and the internal diameters of veins.
VNUS
Using an electric guide wire to probe into diseased veins, release electric current , then retreat the guide wire to burn the diseased veins and make closure of diseased veins 。
Analysis: This new method of radiofrequency treatment emerged in foreign countries, used only for main varicose veins.? There are strict requirements, or it may lead to superficial venous thrombosis. If the main varicose vein is not taken out, there is a high recurrence rate.
CRYOSURGERY
High pressure CO2 passes through the vein probe zl, FL rapid expansion produces cooling up to -80℃. The tip then freezes into an ice ball and bonds with the vessel wall, then the varicose vein will be stripped.
Analysis: In the early 2000, this technique has been carried out in the country. The German company ERBE produced the Erbekryo CA freezing treatment . Stripping of the great saphenous vein is required. But if the probe tip stays in one place too long, it can cause skin frostbite. The vein may be easily pulled off during the stripping process, good for adjuvant therapy.
EVLT
Performed with a laser fiber that enters into the varicose veins, the laser is activated to make a closure of the diseased veins。
Analysis: This new method from year 2000, first developed in the UK. The principle is similar to the coagulation technique, through damage to vascular endothelium, which causes adhesion and closes the vein. As it is limited due to the diameter of the vessel, this technique is only suitable for some patients.
TRIVEX
Through a subcutaneous light source , surgeons are able to directly monitor varicose veins. A high speed rotary cutter is used to chop varicose vessels, vacuum aspiration is then used to get rid of the remaining varicose blood vessels.
Analysis:This new method emerged in the year 2000 and was developed by the US company Smith & Nephew. As the surgery puncture is small, it achieves good cosmetic results, but the method can only deal with groups of varicose veins instead of main lesions. If there is lack of experience or an improper operation is performed, there may cause possible nerve damage, and then cause numbness in the skin for a long time. This method can be used as a minimally invasive adjuvant therapy and suits patients with skin that is soft and has good elasticity.
