Varicose vein surgery – traditional surgery
Traditional varicose vein surgery
Traditional surgery is a proven and safe treatment for varicose veins when the dilation of the veins is significant. At Lækninga í Reykjavík, Stefán E. Matthíasson, a vascular surgeon, performs these procedures at Skurðstofann ehf. The procedure involves removing diseased veins through small incisions and is performed under anesthesia.
If you are looking for an experienced varicose vein doctor who performs traditional surgery, you are welcome to make an appointment . Tel: 590 9200.
Preparing for varicose vein surgery
Preparation for surgery :
- Fast for 6 hours before surgery (do not eat solid food or drink liquids).
- Painkillers: 1 hour before the procedure, take the painkiller Panodil or Paratabs 500 mg. If you weigh less than 70 kg, take 2 tablets, otherwise take 3 tablets.
- Shower the night before surgery and also the morning of surgery. Wash with regular soap.
- Do not shave your genitals or groin or use hair removal creams/wax for a week before surgery. If hair removal is required, it will be done at the beginning of the procedure by the operating room staff. Do not use creams or emollients on the skin of your genitals on the day of surgery.
- Avoid the use of blood thinners such as Aspirin, Co-Magnyl, Heart Magnyl, etc. and anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibufen, Ibumetin, Indocit, Naprox, Voltaren, Vóstar 5-7 days before the operation. Those who use the drug Kóvar (Waran/Dicumarol) must generally stop taking it 5 days before the operation or receive special instructions.
- Patients taking blood pressure lowering medication and/or heart medication are advised to take them the morning of the surgery with a sip of water. Birth control or menopause pills do not need to be discontinued. Those with diabetes and using insulin need to speak to the anesthesiologist a few days before the surgery (telephone 590 9213).
- The operating room has locked compartments for valuables/telephones etc. Skurðstofan ehf does not guarantee any loss or possible damage to personal effects. The use of smartphones during recovery is prohibited. All recording/distribution of audio and video from the operating theatre as well.
- Upon arrival at the operating room, you will meet with a surgeon and anesthesiologist. You will be given a gown to wear and disposable underwear. Your feet will be drawn and scanned. All patients must sign an informed consent form.
- If you have a known allergy to medications, patches, iodine, etc., it is essential that this is disclosed before the procedure.
- The Icelandic Health Insurance (SÍ) pays for the procedure for most people with health insurance in Iceland. Payment is collected for the procedure. Payment can be made by debit or credit card, but not by bank notes.
After the operation: The operation is performed under general anesthesia. This is a special anesthesia method (tumescent anesthesia) and is performed in such a way that the surgical area is numbed with a cooled anesthetic solution using a fine needle. The only thing that patients feel is a prick and a feeling of pressure. Vascular branches are removed through the needle puncture holes. The operations are performed with intravenous anesthetics similar to a gastroscopy. After the operation, you will be allowed to recover from waking up for ½-1 hour or until you are able to move around. Patients are not considered able to drive until the next day. It is advisable that patients do not stay alone until after returning home. Pain : Minor discomfort in the surgical area can be expected during the first few days. It is advisable to use painkillers if needed and they are available without a prescription in pharmacies (Paratabs/Panodil 500 mg, 2 tablets up to four times/day) or Parkodin without a prescription. Packaging : During the operation, the leg is placed in an elastic stocking. There is an elastic bandage on the outside that can be removed after 48 hours and discarded. The elastic stocking can also be removed and showered, but then put back on. The dressing under the elastic stocking can be removed at the same time before showering and discarded. The stocking is then worn for 5-7 days after the operation. Day and night. The stocking reduces pain, bruising and prevents swelling. Itching can accompany prolonged use of the dressing. Some people benefit from taking common allergy medications that are available without a prescription to relieve the itching. It is then advisable for patients to buy “flight socks” in the right size from a pharmacy, which reach up to the knee, and wear them from the 5th-7th day after the operation during the day for 1-3 weeks thereafter. Exercise : Generally, take it easy for the first 1-2 days after the operation. But take regular walks and do leg exercises by moving up and down around the ankle joint; “pump exercises”. This prevents swelling in the leg and reduces pain. Swimming and gymnastics after 10 days or when the puncture wounds are completely closed or healed. Complications : It is normal for the skin to bruise at the injection site. Also, for a thickening/string to form under the skin first in the place where the varicose veins were. Hirudoid cream, which is available without a prescription, can be used after 5-7 days to reduce the bruising. It is applied thinly to the bruised area 2-3 times a day until the bruise disappears. Bleeding and infections can occur. In case of infection, there is abnormally high pain in the wounds and possibly fever. If bleeding or suspicion of infection occurs, contact a doctor. Occasionally, long-term discoloration of the skin (staining) and also loss of sensation/loss of skin may occur. Blood clots after surgery have been described but are very rare. At the end of the surgery, everyone receives a blood thinner injection as a precaution. Wraps can cause intolerance or, in the worst case, blistering. In such cases, it is advisable to remove them or change their location. Smaller varicose veins are often later injected until they rupture. The drug polidocanol (Aetoxysclerol) is used for this as a liquid or foam. The drug closes these veins. The long-term success of this treatment is individual but never absolute and the injection treatment often needs to be repeated. Success : The long-term success of the surgery is based on, among other things, the extent and nature of the disease and a detailed assessment before surgery with examination and ultrasound. An attempt is made to perform a permanent operation, but it should be borne in mind that this is a chronic disease and that its underlying cause is poorly known, and it can therefore never be ruled out that varicose veins may form again or in other places over time. Recurrence of varicose veins after the best possible treatment is common in the long term. Work : Absences from work are individual, depending on the extent of the operation and the individual's job. It is not unusual to be off work for a few days after the operation and longer in exceptional cases. Certificates for work are issued upon return.
