Varicose veins are described by "UpToDate" contributors Sherry Scovell, M.D., and Patrick Alguire, M.D., as twisted, dilated and elongated veins located just under the skin. They generally are at least three millimeters in diameter and may cause pain or simply look unsightly. Several treatment options are available: sclerotherapy, in which a substance is injected into the vein to destroy it; laser therapy, which uses the light and heat from lasers to destroy the vessel; and surgery to cut out the varicose veins. Each technique is associated with potential complications.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
Superficial thrombophlebitis is a medical term used to describe redness, warmth and swelling along a blood vessel. It is one possible complication of sclerotherapy as well as laser therapy and occurs when the pain, redness and warmth that would be expected at the site of the injection or laser treatment extends to veins that are near the site of the varicose vein that was treated. Dr. Deborah Greenberg and Dr. Sherry Scovell, writing in the medical reference "UpToDate," report that some patients may also experience hives at the site of injection.
Air Microembolization
Air microembolization refers to tiny bubbles of air that may be injected along with the agent used to eliminate the varicose vein. These bubbles of air can travel throughout the circulatory system and may cause symptoms such as headache, changes in vision, or a cough. Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Scovell, summarizing the results of two different studies, report that these symptoms are quite rare, occurring in less than two percent of patients.
Infection at Site of Surgery
Infection at the site of the surgery---sometimes known as the "wound site"---is an important potential complicaton of varicose vein surgical removal. A study done in 2005 published in the "American Journal of Infection" found that just over one percent of varicose vein patients experienced an infection after surgery. While this does not seem like a probable outcome, it is a real risk for patients undergoing surgery. Symptoms such as increased redness at the site of the surgery, warmth and swelling around the site of the surgery, or systemic symptoms such as fever, may be indications that an infection is developing. In such cases, patients should contact their physician so that a diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment can be started.
References
- "UpToDate"; Open surgical techniques for lower extremity vein ablation; Kathryn Collins; April 2010
- Varicose Veins
- "UpToDate;" Liquid and foam sclerotherapy techniques for the treatment of lower extremity veins; Deborah Greenberg and Sherry Scovell; June 2010
- "UpToDate;" Overview and management of lower extremity chronic venous disease; Patrick Alguire and Sherry Scovell; June 2010
