Varicose veins are enlarged veins in the legs, which may both widen and become bulbous, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The veins' engorged state can interfere with regular blood flow and cause pain in addition to being unsightly. When other treatment options fail, surgical solutions are sometimes pursued. Like any surgery, however, there are potential complications of varicose vein surgery.
Leakage
Leakage or seeping of blood may occur from the incisions around the removed or stripped veins, according to the UK-based international health care company, Bupa. The "Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England" notes that in rare cases, leakage may also include fluids from nicked lymph nodes in the groin. Follow-up surgery will be required for lymph leakage and blood seepage that does not stop on its own.
Abcess/Ulcer
MayoClinic.com notes that ulcerations of tissue can be caused by the shifts in vein blood pressure caused by varicose vein surgery. Early signs include brown spots on the skin near the surgical area. Additionally, 2.8 percent of patients can expect to experience some form of abscess or ulceration, according to the "Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England."
Blood Clots
Blood clots as a complication of varicose vein surgery can take two forms. Superficial blood clots may cause swelling in the leg, or they may be linked to injection therapy-style surgery that was not successful on a particular vein, notes the Merck Manuals.
The second form of blood clot occurs in the deep veins of the leg and requires medical attention or monitoring. The "Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England" indicated that three out of 599 patients experienced deep vein thrombosis over the course of eight years. Though this is a rarer symptom, MayoClinic.com encourages those experiencing sudden swelling of the leg to seek medical help for potential deep blood clots.
Nerve Damage
According to a retrospective review in the "Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England," 6.6 percent of patients can expect to experience some level of nerve damage or disturbance. Most reported minor numbness or tingling.
