Besides compression therapy, the most common form of treatment of varicose veins is the surgical removal of the incompetent vein, known as ‘stripping’. This is an operating theatre procedure, performed under general anesthesia and requires a 1-2 day hospital stay and a 3 week convalescence period. It also can result in a lot of bruising, and initial pain and discomfort.
Smaller varices can be treated using a procedure known as sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical into the vein to close it. However, discoloration of the skin and allergic reactions are a relatively common side effect of this treatment. |
