Varicose veins are enlarged, deformed and twisted veins that commonly affect the legs, ankles and feet. Veins carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart and work against gravity; standing and walking increases the pressure on these veins. MayoClinic.com explains that this and other factors cause the valves in the veins to leak, which causes blood to pool and leads to varicose veins. For some individuals, varicose veins are largely a cosmetic concern. For others, they cause symptoms of aching, pain, burning, itching and even bleeding. Several types of surgeries are used to treat varicose veins. Although most are effective, they can cause minor complications.
Bleeding and Bruising
Surgeries for the removal of varicose veins include endovenous laser treatment, or EVLT, and more invasive stripping and phlebectomy surgeries. The Vein Institute of Toronto explains that EVLT requires a small incision on the leg into which a catheter is inserted and threaded into the vein. Laser light from the catheter then destroys and closes the damaged vein. The vein remains in the body for several weeks until the body absorbs it.
Stripping and phlebectomy surgeries are much more invasive and involve several incisions along the vein and removing it manually. Both laser and traditional surgery procedures can lead to bleeding and bruising in the leg. The bruising can be severe and last for a few weeks.
Pain and Scarring
Laser and traditional ligation and stripping surgeries for veins are usually done with local anesthesia. Once the anesthesia wears off, however, pain and aching in the treated leg can occur for a few days to a few weeks. Some individuals also experience a temporary loss of sensation along the area of the treated vein. MayoClinic.com notes there is also a risk of scarring in the area of treatment where small incisions to insert the laser catheter or remove the vein were made.
Recurrence
All types of varicose vein removal procedures carry the risk that there will be some type of recurrence of the condition. This is more common when smaller veins are treated with injections called sclerotherapy. The Vein Institute of Toronto says that the recurrence rate for varicose veins after EVLT and other surgeries ranges from 5 to 29 percent depending on the procedure and the individual's condition. Preventative measures such as wearing compression stockings regularly can help to decrease the risk of new varicose veins forming in the treated area.
